Introduction
In the field of chemistry, the opportunities for chemical selections are abundant. Chemicals serve a variety of purposes, from detergents to medicinal agents, and new discoveries are constantly being made. With this in mind, a chemist must be aware of the various chemical selections available and educated on the properties of the various compounds.
Ionic Compounds
Ionic compounds are compounds that consist of positively and negatively charged ions held together by electrostatic forces of attraction. These compounds are typically composed of metal cations and non-metal anions, and they form a crystalline structure when solid. Depending on the charges of the ions, some ionic compounds require multiple ions to create a neutral compound. Salts, such as sodium chloride, are examples of ionic compounds that are widely used in many applications, such as a flavor enhancer in food, bleaching agents, and in certain organic solvents.
Covalent Compounds
Covalent compounds are molecules that are held together by covalent bonds, or shared electrons between atoms. They have very strong intramolecular forces, making them relatively stable in their chemical environment. Depending on the nature of the covalent bond, covalent compounds can be further classified into two categories: molecular and network covalent solids. An example of a molecular covalent compound is water, composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom held together by covalent bonding. An example of a network covalent solid is diamond, composed of a three-dimensional lattice of carbon atoms held together by covalent bonding.
Organic Compounds
Organic compounds are molecules that contain carbon atoms, along with other atoms such as hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. These molecules can vary in complexity and size, ranging from simple molecules such as methane to complex molecules such as proteins. Organic compounds can be further divided into four categories: hydrocarbons, alcohols, ketones, and carboxylic acids.
Hydrocarbons are molecules that are solely composed of hydrogen and carbon atoms, and they can be further divided into two categories: alkanes and alkenes. Examples of alkanes include methane, ethane, and propane, while examples of alkenes include ethene and propene.
Alcohols are molecules that contain one or more hydroxyl (-OH) groups, along with hydrogen and carbon atoms. Common examples of alcohols include ethanol, methanol, and propanol.
Ketones are molecules that contain a carbonyl group, -C=O, along with hydrogen and carbon atoms. Common examples of ketones are acetone and propanone.
Carboxylic acids are molecules that contain a carboxyl group, -COOH, and they are considered to be the simplest organic acids. Common examples of carboxylic acids are formic acid, acetic acid, and propionic acid.
Conclusion
Chemical selections are abundant in the field of chemistry. A chemist must familiarize themselves with the different types of compounds available and understand the properties of each type in order to make informed decisions about which compound is best suited for a given application. From ionic compounds to organic compounds, each type of compound provides its own advantages and disadvantages, and a chemist must keep this in mind when selecting the best compound for a given purpose.
