Organic chemistry

Organic Chemistry

Organic chemistry (pronunciation: /ɔːrˈɡænɪk kɪˈmɪstri/) is a sub-discipline of chemistry that studies the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and synthesis of organic compounds, which contain carbon atoms.

Etymology

The term "organic" is historical, dating to the 1st century. For many centuries, Western alchemists believed in vitalism. This is the theory that certain compounds could be synthesized only from their classical elements—earth, water, air, and fire—through the action of a "life-force" (vis vitalis) that only organisms possessed. Vitalism taught that these "organic" compounds were fundamentally different from the "inorganic" compounds that could be obtained from the elements by chemical manipulations.

Related Terms

Carbon: The chemical element of atomic number 6, a nonmetal that has two main forms (diamond and graphite) and that also occurs in impure form in charcoal, soot, and coal.
Chemistry: The branch of science that deals with the identification of the substances of which matter is composed; the investigation of their properties and the ways in which they interact, combine, and change; and the use of these processes to form new substances.
Alchemists: A person who practices or studies alchemy, an ancient branch of natural philosophy.
Vitalism: The theory that the origin and phenomena of life are dependent on a force or principle distinct from purely chemical or physical forces.
Inorganic Chemistry: The branch of chemistry that deals with inorganic compounds.