The Structural Complexity of Organic Molecules

Most organic molecules have much more complex structures than most inorganic molecules, and a quick review of carbon s atomic properties and bonding behavior shows why  

Bond properties, catenation, and molecular shape. T t number strength of carbon s bonds lead to its outstanding ability to catenate (form chains of atoms), which allows it to form a multitude of chemically and thermally stable chain, ring, and branched compounds. Through the process of orbital hybridization (Section 

carbon forms four bonds in virtually all its compounds, and they point in as many as four different directions. The small size of carbon allows close approach to another atom and thus greater orbital overlap, meaning that carbon forms 

Molecular stability. Although silicon and several other elements also catenate, none can compete with carbon. Atomic and bonding properties confer three crucial differences between C and Si chains that explain why C chains are so stable and, therefore, so common  

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