Carbon Based

Carbon-based organic chemistry is centered on the study of compounds that feature carbon atoms, typically bonded with hydrogen and sometimes with other elements such as oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur. Carbon’s unique properties allow it to form strong covalent bonds with itself and with a variety of other atoms, making possible the construction of long chains, rings, and complex molecular structures. Most organic molecules are recognized by the presence of carbon–carbon or carbon–hydrogen bonds, and this versatility is the foundation for the vast diversity of life and materials on Earth, including everything from simple fuels to the complex molecules found in living organisms. Not all carbon-containing substances are classified as organic (for instance, carbonates and carbon dioxide are exceptions), but the majority of carbon compounds that serve as the backbone of biological processes and synthetic materials fall into the realm of organic chemistry.