Organic Chemistry – Discussion Part 1

Organic Compounds Around the Home

The most common usage of organic can be found in products (crops, livestock, etc.) sold for our everyday use. The USDA has stepped in to regulate what products can be considered organic. (Read more about these guidelines here: https://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/organic-standards (Links to an external site.)). In regards to the scientific community, specifically gearing towards chemistry, the term organic is used to classify a family of compounds. Please answer the following questions in regards to organic compounds in terms of chemistry.

1. How can you tell if a compound is an organic compound? What requirements help us determine this specification?
2. From the following list of compounds found in some homes, determine which ones are made completely (or mostly) of organic compounds and explain your choices:
   • table sugar
   • propane (gas used for outdoor grills, etc.)
   • acetone (nail polish remover)
   • candle wax
   • cotton shirt
   • polyester shirt
   • plastic bag
   • PVC pipe (plastic plumbing pipe)
   • cardboard box
3. For the compound butane and 2-methylpropane, discuss the similarities and differences between the two organic compounds.

Organic Chemistry – Discussion Part 1 Answer 

1. How can you tell if a compound is an organic compound? What requirements help us determine this specification?
   We could tell that a compound is an organic compound if the structure is primarily based on Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and/or Sulfur — specially, of course, carbon. Some general types of organic compounds are as follows: hydrocarbon, aldehyde, ketone, carboxylic acid, thiol, alcohol, and ether.