Lesson #09 General characteristics of organic compounds

General characteristics of organic compounds

There are seven types of general characteristics of organic compounds. In this article we will discuss only four.

1. Occurrence.
2. Covalent nature.
3. Composition.
4. Melting and boiling point.

1. Occurrence:

Most of them come from living things or
from things that were once living.

2. Covalent:

Organic compounds are generally covalent in nature. They may have polar or non polar bonds.

3. Composition:

Carbon is the main constituent of organic compounds. Hydrogen is also frequently present in organic compounds. Other elements like oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus and halogens are present in many organic compounds.

4. Melting and boiling point:

Generally organic compounds are volatile. So they have low melting and boiling points