Classification of organic compounds, alkane and alkyl radical

 Classification of organic compounds, alkane and alkyl radical

Classification of organic compounds

There are millions of organic compounds, so it in not possible to study each compound individually. To make their study easier, they are classified into various groups and sub groups. This classification is based on carbon skeleton.  These organic compounds are broadly classified into two main groups.

I. Open chain compounds or acyclic compounds 

2. Closed chain or cyclic compounds 

I. Open chain compounds or acyclic compounds 

Open chain ⛓️ compounds contain an open chain of carbon atoms. Open chain compounds are also known as alicyclic compounds. For example, 

CH3--CH2--CH3      CH3--CH2--CH2--CH3     CH3--CH2--CH2--CH2--CH3 

    Propane                    Butane                              pentane

Open chain compounds are further classified into two sub groups 

a. straight chain organic compounds 

b. Branched chain organic compounds 

a. straight chain organic compounds 

The open chain compounds which contain any number of carbon atoms joined  together  one after another or n a chain or a row are called straight chain organic compounds. 

For example:

CH3--CH2--CH3          CH3--CH2--CH2--CH3       CH3--CH2--CH2--CH2--CH3 

    Propane                         Butane                                 pentane

b. Branched chain organic compounds 

The open chain compounds which contain  carbon atoms on the sides of carbon chain are called branched chain organic compounds. 

For example

Neppentane , isobtane 

2. Closed chain or cyclic compounds 

Organic compounds which contain rings of atoms are called closed chain or cyclic compounds.For example,

Cyclopropane, cyclobutane, cyclohexeane, benzene 

Closed chain compounds can be further divided into two groups:

a. Homocyclic compounds 

b. Heterocyclic compounds 

a. Homocyclic compounds

Cyclic compounds which contain rings of carbon atoms are called homocyclic or cyclic compounds.

b. Heterocyclic compounds 

Cyclic compounds which contain rings  one or more other than carbon atoms are called hetroocyclic or cyclic compounds.

For example

Pyridine, Furane, thiophene

Alkane.

Alkanes are hydrocarbons containing only single bonds and have a general formula of CnH2n+2.

Alkyl radical 

An alkyl radical is a group of aloms obtained by removing one hydrogen atom from an alkane have a general formula of CnH2n+1. Alkyl radical is represented by symbol R. 

Alkane                       Alkyl radical 

CH4                                 CH3-

Methane                       Methyl 

CH3CH3                        CH3-CH2--

Ethane                           Ethyl