Bond lengths are smaller when atoms form multiple bonds. Single overlap between two atoms forms a single covalent bond. So, when they overlap twice and thrice to form double and triple bonds the atoms to come closer to form a tight-knit. Such bonds are even harder to break. So, the bond length of a triple is smaller than a double and single bond.
An easy way to identify organic compounds is to look for several atoms in a long chain. These long chains are covalent bonds. So, the length of the bond and the factors affecting it becomes very important.
Such a bond formation occurs only when the atoms that want to form covalent bonds have the right concentration, orientation, and speed.
Did you know that, back in the 1900s, it was believed that a hook and a loop type of closure was the covalent bond responsible for holding atoms in a molecule? Interesting, right?
One basic thing to know about an atom is that it is made of three main components- protons, neutrons, and electrons.
The charge for an atom can come from two sources: positively charged protons in its nucleus and negatively charged electrons outside the nucleus. So, the atom is considered neutral when there is a balance between the positively charged protons and negatively charged electrons. Like, how a sum of +1 and -1 charge gives a zero.
Three main components make an atom-protons, neutrons in the nucleus, and electrons in the outer nuclear region.
In nuclear reactions, the nucleus reacts, whereas, in organic chemical reactions and other bonding reactions, the crucial involvement is of the electrons. Also, not all of an atom’s electrons are reactive, only some are, and this decision is made based on its placement around the nucleus.
Valence electrons are the outermost, farthest from the nucleus, and the nuclear attraction. Consequently, the valence electrons are loosely held; therefore, they participate in chemical reactions by being gained, lost, or shared.
For instance, two atoms share any one valence electron to form a two-electron covalent bond.
The longest carbon chain is the parent chain containing the principal functional group.
The principle functional group is always given the highest priority, lowest number (1 before 2, 3, 4...), and assigned as a suffix while writing the nomenclature. Therefore, the numbering of the parent chain always starts from the principal functional group.
IUPAC, an international body engaged in developing standards for naming chemical elements and compounds, has laid several rules known as 'IUPAC rules' to identify a molecule by its parent alkane chain and the functional group. It has assigned various suffixes to identify organic chemistry's commonly seen functional groups.
Organic compounds predominantly consist of Carbon and Hydrogen atoms, also known as hydrocarbons. However, most organic compounds also contain other heteroatoms like O, N, S, and halogens as the functional group.
Out of the many ways to classify a structure, the functional group classification based on the attached atoms is listed below.
Carbon's nondiscriminatory nature to form bonds with itself and other elements has led to a wide variety of small and large organic compounds. Carbon-hydrogen compounds called hydrocarbons are mostly inert; however, carbon with other elements (N, O, S, halogen) form functional groups, the reactive part of the molecule. The functional group part of the molecule is where chemical transformations occur. Some organic compounds can have more than one functional group.