5 Steps to a 5 AP Chemistry 2019

Organic Chemistry

SPECIAL NOTE

Although organic chemistry is not specifically tested on the AP Chemistry exam, an

overview of the subject will help you recognize and understand organic structures

that appear in relation to other topics on the exam. In addition, this material is

taught by some high school and college teachers. This is an enrichment chapter that

should be considered a bonus chapter to this book.

IN THIS CHAPTER

Summary: Organic chemistry is the study of the chemistry of carbon. Almost all the

compounds containing carbon are classified as organic compounds. Only a few—

for example, carbonates and cyanides—are classified as inorganic. It used to be

thought that all organic compounds had to be produced by living organisms, but

this idea was proven wrong in 1828 when German chemist Friedrich Wöhler pro-

duced the first organic compound from inorganic starting materials. Since that time,

chemists have synthesized many organic compounds found in nature and have also

made many never found naturally. It is carbon’s characteristic of bonding strongly to

itself and to other elements in long, complex chains and rings that gives carbon the

ability to form the many diverse and complex compounds needed to support life.

Keywords and Equations

No keywords or equations specific to this chapter are listed on the AP exam.

CHAPTER

18

KEY IDEA

ENRICHMENT

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