Occurrence Of Carbon

OCCURANCE OF CARBON

VITAL FORCE THEORY OR BERZELIUS HYPOTHESIS

Organic compounds cannot be synthesized in the laboratory because they require the presence of a mysterious force (called vital force) which exists only in the living organisms.

Wholer’s synthesis: When ammonium cyanate, obtained by double decomposition of ammonium chloride and potassium cyanate is heated, urea is formed. After this synthesis vital force theory was rejected.

NH₄Cl + KCNO → NH₄CNO + KCl ; NH₄CNO NH₂CONH₂

Urea

Characteristics of organic compounds

The organic compounds

1. are made from only a few elements
2. are larger in number
3. have complex structures,
4. contain covalent and co−ordinate bonds,
5. are soluble in non−polar solvents,
6. have low melting and boiling points,
7. are bad conductors of electricity,
8. undergo molecular reactions which are generally slow and reversible,
9. show isomerism and
10. exhibit homology.

• Electronegativity and strength of bonds: The electronegativity of carbon is close to a number of other elements such as hydrogen, nitrogen, phosphorus, chlorine, oxygen. As a result, carbon forms strong covalent bonds with these elements as well.
• Tendency to form multiple bonds: Because of its small size, carbon has a strong tendency to form multiple (double and triple) bonds with carbon, oxygen and nitrogen atoms.
• Isomerism: Many organic compounds show the phenomenon of isomerism by virtue of which a single molecular formula may represent two or more structures.