Chemistry: Introduction

Chemistry can be divided into five different branches. There is analytical chemistry, which is centered around chemical composition and the development of methods to examine compounds. There is physical chemistry, which is when physics meet chemistry and is centered around the use of physics in chemical reactions (think thermodynamics) . Biochemistry is a massive beast that happens when chemistry goes hand and hand with living organisms.

But, lastly there are the two branches of chemistry that are most important for green chemistry: Organic and Inorganic. As already touched on Organic is with compounds containing carbon, and inorganic is the study of compounds that lack hydrocarbons (carbon). 

Here is a helpful chart!

Now lets talk about Organic Chemistry-

When we think of organic what normally comes to mind? Probably something that involves gardening or food: "organic home grown tomatoes" or "organic free range eggs". The food industry took the term organic from chemists; in chemistry organic takes on a whole different meaning.

A compound gains the title of being organic if it contains carbon. In the past organic compounds were identified as a compound that came from nature, but this definition proved faulty when chemists began to create compounds like urea, in the lab.

Below is the structure for urea, an organic compound. Now when you look at this compound what is the dead give away that is is organic?

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OBVIOUSLY THE BEAUTIFUL CARBON RIGHT THERE.

Carbon by itself is a monumentally important element. Why? Because carbon has four electrons that are just dying to form bonds and help carbon gain an Octet (eight electrons). 

Take a look at the lewis structure of this carbon-

This is a lewis structure, the dots represent the lone electrons that are ready to bond

Since carbon can form four bonds, a double bond, or even a triple bond and a single bond, this gives carbon an important role and makes it the perfect element to bond with. Our own planet is covered with carbon based life forms, humans, trees, and animals all have carbon as one of the elements that allows us to be here. Carbon also makes up our fossil fuels such as coal and oil, two things that we as humans need to function in our current society. Carbon also makes up graphite and diamond, we are a race built on the twelfth element.