organicchemical

Organic chemicals are carbon-containing compounds that primarily consist of carbon and hydrogen and often include other elements such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and halogens. The term spans hydrocarbons, alcohols, acids, esters, amines, and many polymers. In many classifications, compounds like carbonates or carbon oxides are treated as inorganic, clarifying the boundary between organic and inorganic chemistry.

Most organic chemicals are synthesized from petrochemical feedstocks or biomass. Common methods include polymerization, oxidation, esterification, and functional group interconversions. Building blocks such as alkanes, alkenes, arenes, and small molecules like methanol yield a wide range of products, from fuels and solvents to dyes, pharmaceuticals, and polymers.

Organic chemicals display diverse physical properties, from gases to viscous liquids. They may be volatile, flammable, or toxic, requiring careful handling. Their applications span medicine, agriculture, consumer products, and industry, driven by the task of designing molecules with desired reactivity and properties.

Environmental and health concerns have led to regulatory programs (for example, REACH in Europe and TSCA in the United States) and to efforts in green chemistry to reduce hazard, waste, and energy use in synthesis and manufacturing.