Organic chemistry is the branch of chemistry that focuses on the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and synthesis of carbon-containing compounds. Carbon is unique in its ability to form four covalent bonds, allowing it to create a vast array of structures—chains, rings, and complex frameworks—with elements like hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and halogens.

Organic compounds include a wide range of substances such as:

• Hydrocarbons (alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and aromatics)
• Alcohols, acids, esters, amines, and more
• Biomolecules like carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids
• Synthetic materials such as plastics, dyes, drugs, and pesticides

Organic chemistry is essential in fields like medicine, biochemistry, agriculture, and materials science, as it underpins the chemistry of life and the development of countless technological innovations.