The word "organic compound" is spelled as /ɔːˈɡænɪk ˈkɒmpaʊnd/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable is pronounced as "aw" sound like in "law" while the second syllable is pronounced as "ganic" with a soft "g" sound. The stress is on the first syllable, and the second word is pronounced as "kaum-pound" with the secondary stress on the first syllable. It's essential to spell this term accurately to avoid confusion, especially in the scientific community, where precision is crucial.
An organic compound refers to any chemical substance containing carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen atoms. It is a vast category of chemical compounds that are derived from living organisms or once-living material. This classification encompasses a wide range of substances, including molecules found in plants, animals, and other organic matter.
To qualify as an organic compound, a substance needs carbon as its principal element and hydrogen atoms covalently bonded to the carbon backbone. While many organic compounds also consist of other elements, such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus, carbon and hydrogen are the fundamental constituents.
Organic compounds exhibit diverse properties and functionalities due to the presence of carbon. They can vary in size, complexity, and structure, ranging from simple linear hydrocarbons to complex cyclic or branched molecules. Some organic compounds possess unique properties, such as solubility in organic solvents or specific chemical reactivity, making them valuable for various applications in fields like pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and materials science.
Furthermore, organic compounds can be natural or synthetic. Natural organic compounds are those produced by living organisms, including essential biomolecules like carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Synthetic organic compounds, on the other hand, are artificially created through chemical reactions in laboratories or industrial processes.
In conclusion, an organic compound is a chemical compound predominantly composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms, with a variety of structures and functionalities. Its origin can be traced back to living organisms or their byproducts, and it plays a crucial role in the chemistry of life and in numerous industries.
Any chemical compound containing carbon.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "organic" comes from the Greek word "organikos", meaning "of, pertaining to, or derived from organisms". It is derived from the Greek word "organon", which means "instrument" or "tool". The term "organic" was initially used in chemistry to describe compounds that were derived from living organisms or resembled substances found in living organisms.
The term "compound" comes from the Latin word "componere", meaning "to put together" or "to assemble". In chemistry, a compound refers to a substance composed of two or more elements that are chemically bonded together.
Therefore, the term "organic compound" refers to a compound containing carbon atoms that is either derived from living organisms or synthesizes substances found in living organisms, conforming to the field of organic chemistry.