Unit 3 · Lesson 1
Introduction to Organic Compounds
Organic chemistry is the study of carbon-containing compounds. Carbon is unique because it can form four strong covalent bonds with itself and with many other elements — which is why life on earth is, at its core, carbon chemistry.
In this lesson we'll cover:
- What makes a compound "organic"
- The role of hydrocarbons
- How carbon forms chains and rings
- Why nomenclature matters in WAEC
What is an organic compound?
An organic compound is a compound that contains carbon, almost always bonded to hydrogen. The exceptions you should remember for WAEC are carbonates, cyanides, carbides, and the oxides of carbon — these contain carbon but are classified as inorganic.
Tip from Mr Adeyemi
WAEC almost always asks you to identify whether a given compound is organic or inorganic. Memorise the exceptions above — they are the trap.
The role of hydrocarbons
The simplest organic compounds are hydrocarbons — molecules made only of carbon and hydrogen. From petrol to plastic, hydrocarbons are everywhere in Nigerian daily life. They divide into:
- Alkanes — saturated, single bonds (e.g. methane, CH₄)
- Alkenes — at least one double bond (e.g. ethene, C₂H₄)
- Alkynes — at least one triple bond (e.g. ethyne, C₂H₂)
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