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Concept 4.2: Carbon atoms can form diverse molecules by bonding to four…
Concept 4.2: Carbon atoms can form diverse molecules by bonding to four other atoms
•Electron configuration is the key to an atom’s characteristics
•Electron configuration determines the kinds and number of bonds an atom will form with other atoms
The Formation of Bonds with Carbon
•With four valence electrons, carbon can form four covalent bonds with a variety of atoms
•This tetravalence makes large, complex molecules possible
•In molecules with multiple carbons, each carbon bonded to four other atoms has a tetrahedral shape
•However, when two carbon atoms are joined by a double bond, the molecule has a flat shape
•The electron configuration of carbon gives it covalent compatibility with many different elements
•The valences of carbon and its most frequent partners (hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen) are the “building code” that governs the architecture of living molecules
•Carbon atoms can partner with atoms other than hydrogen; for example:
–Carbon dioxide: CO2
–Urea: CO(NH2)2
Molecular Diversity Arising from Carbon Skeleton Variation
•Carbon chains form the skeletons of most organic molecules
•Carbon chains vary in length and shape
Hydrocarbons
•Hydrocarbons are organic molecules consisting of only carbon and hydrogen
•Many organic molecules, such as fats, have hydrocarbon components
•Hydrocarbons can undergo reactions that release a large amount of energy
Isomers
•Isomers are compounds with the same molecular formula but different structures and properties:
–Structural isomers have different covalent arrangements of their atoms
–Geometric isomers have the same covalent arrangements but differ in spatial arrangements
–Enantiomers are isomers that are mirror images of each other
•Enantiomers are important in the pharmaceutical industry
•Two enantiomers of a drug may have different effects
•Differing effects of enantiomers demonstrate that organisms are sensitive to even subtle variations in molecules