Paper Example on Organic Chemistry and Its Differences from Other Branches of Chemistry

Introduction

Organic chemistry is a branch of chemistry which focuses on the study of carbon and the chemistry of life. It involves the study of molecules composed of carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bond and their reactions (Patrick, 2017). It helps to understand life and chemical reactions taking place in life. It is also useful in the production of chemicals and household products such as food, fuels, drugs and other products. Other branches of chemistry such as inorganic chemistry study inorganic compounds; analytic chemistry studies matter and tools used to measure matter; physical chemistry uses physics of thermodynamics and quantum to study chemistry; and biochemistry studies chemical processes taking place within the living organisms (Patrick, 2017).

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Order now

Differences Between Alkanes, Alkenes, and Alkynes

Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons composed of only single-bonded carbon and hydrogen atoms. They are the simplest group of organic compounds because they lack other functional groups besides carbon and hydrogen (Arora, 2006). Saturation of alkanes implies that each carbon atom of an alkane molecule is attached to four atoms of either hydrogen or carbon through a single bond. The general formula for an alkane molecule is CnH2n+2 where n denotes the number of carbon atom in the alkane molecule. Examples of alkane molecules include methane, ethane, and propane with molecular formulas of CH4, C2H6, and C3H8 respectively (Arora, 2006). Overall, alkanes are least reactive because they lack double or triple bonds and rapidly oxidize to produce heat.

Alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds composed of carbon-carbon double bond. Un-saturation of alkenes implies that one carbon atom of an alkene molecule is attached to a carbon-carbon double bond (Arora, 2006). The molecular formula for an alkene molecule is given by CnH2n where n denotes the number of carbon atoms in the molecule. Overall, alkenes are named as though they were alkane molecules; however, the "ane" suffix is changed to "ene" (Arora, 2006). Examples of alkenes include butene, propene, pentene, hexene, heptene and octene with molecular formulas of C4H8, C3H6, C5H10, C6H12, C7H14, and C8H16 respectively. Overall, alkenes are used in industrial synthesis where they serve as starting materials for the production of alcohols, plastics, detergents, fuels, and other products.

Alkynes are saturated hydrocarbon compounds composed of carbon-carbon triple bonds. The unsaturated status of an alkyne molecule implies that one carbon atom of an alkene molecule is attached to a carbon-carbon triple bond (Arora, 2006). The molecular formula for an alkyne molecule is CnH2n-2 where n denotes the number of carbon atoms in the molecule. Ideally, the naming of alkyne molecule uses the suffix "yne" especially when there is only one alkyne in the molecule. Examples of alkyne molecule include 1-butyne, 1-hexyne, and 1-octyne with the chemical formula of C4H6, C6H10 and C8H14 respectively (Arora, 2006). Alkynes are useful in the industrial production of compounds such as acids, alcohol, polymers and organic solvents.

Differences Between Cis- and Trans-Isomers of Alkenes

Cis- and trans-isomers of alkenes occur because of variation of the functional group in relation to the double bond. Cis-isomers have their functional groups placed on one side of the double bond while in trans-isomers, the functional groups are placed different sides of the double bond (Arora, 2006). The presence of carbon-carbon double bond and the position of the functional groups in cis- and trans-isomers create restricted rotational movement and variation in the chemical reaction.

Cis-trans Isomers Usage for Night Vision

The rod cells of the eye are made-up of two isomers of rhodopsin which are sensitive to light. The difference occurs in the variation of the cis-trans configuration of the C11-C12 double bond. That is, isomerization occurs when light (photon) strikes the rode cell of the C11-C12 bond contained in the rhodopsin (Arora, 2006). This results in excitation of the p electron to a higher energy point thereby converting rhodopsin to a meta-rhodopsin (all-trans isomer). Thereafter, the 11-cis-retinal binds to a protein which then isomerizes to form a new shape thereby expelling the protein which no longer fits in the new shape (Arora, 2006). Finally, a nerve impulse is generated to the brain as a result biochemical reaction of enzymatic activation by expelled all-trans-retinal.

Definition and Example of Haloalkane

Haloalkane refers to hydrocarbons with one or more halogen atoms from group 17 such as Fluorine or Chloride attached to it. Ideally, haloalkane forms when a halogen atom replaces one or more hydrogen atom contained in the aliphatic hydrocarbon. Haloalkanes are also known as alkyl halides or halogenalkanes. The formula for haloalkane is (R-X) where X represents a halogen group attached to sp3 hybridized atom of an alkyl group. Haloalkanes are obtained from open-chain hydrocarbons. An example of haloalkane is halothane (C2HBrClF3).

Use of Halothane in Anesthetic Medication

An example of a haloalkane used in anesthetic medication is halothane with a molecular formula of C2HBrClF3. As an anesthetic drug, it is administered through inhalation to induce and maintain general anesthesia (Ramsden, 2000). It has a rapid induction capability with little or no excitement on patients. The drug functions by reducing the blood pressure, pulse rate, and depressing respiratory rate whenever it is administered on patients (Ramsden, 2000). These effects result in relaxed muscle and reduced pain sensitivity thereby allowing physicians to administer the intended treatment.

References

Arora, A. (2006). Hydrocarbons: Alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes. New Delhi, India: Discovery Publishing.

Patrick, L. G. (2017). Organic chemistry: A very short introduction. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

Ramsden, E. N. (2000). Halogenoalkanes and Halogenoarenes. In E. N. Ramsden (Ed,), A-level chemistry - core text (545-562). Cheltenham, UK: Nelson Thornes Ltd.