TYPE OF CARBON & TYPE OF HYDROGEN – 1, 2, 3, 4 DEGREE CARBON & 1, 2, 3 DEGREE HYDROGEN
TYPE OF CARBON & TYPE OF HYDROGEN – 1, 2, 3, 4 DEGREE CARBON & 1, 2, 3 DEGREE HYDROGEN
Contents [hide]
- 0.1 Types of Carbon & Types of Hydrogen Atoms in Organic Chemistry
- 0.2 Types of Carbon Atoms (1°, 2°, 3°, 4° Carbon)
- 0.3 Primary Carbon (1° Carbon)
- 0.4 Secondary Carbon (2° Carbon)
- 0.5 Tertiary Carbon (3° Carbon)
- 0.6 Quaternary Carbon (4° Carbon)
- 0.7 Types of Hydrogen Atoms (1°, 2°, 3° Hydrogen)
- 0.8 Primary Hydrogen (1° Hydrogen)
- 0.9 Secondary Hydrogen (2° Hydrogen)
- 0.10 Tertiary Hydrogen (3° Hydrogen)
- 0.11 Summary Table
- 0.12 Key Points
- 0.13 TYPE OF CARBON & TYPE OF HYDROGEN – 1, 2, 3, 4 DEGREE CARBON & 1, 2, 3 DEGREE HYDROGEN
- 0.14 hydrocarbons.pdf
- 0.15 Module 1 Hydrogen Properties
- 1
Types of Carbon Atoms - 2 Types of Hydrogen Atoms
- 3
Quick Summary Table - 4
Tip for Remembering:
Types of Carbon & Types of Hydrogen Atoms in Organic Chemistry
In organic chemistry, carbon and hydrogen atoms are classified based on the number of bonds they form with other carbon atoms. This classification helps understand molecular structure, reactivity, and stability.
Types of Carbon Atoms (1°, 2°, 3°, 4° Carbon)
The classification is based on the number of carbon atoms directly attached to the given carbon atom.
Primary Carbon (1° Carbon)
A carbon atom attached to only one other carbon atom.
Found at the ends of carbon chains.
Example: CH₃-CH₂-CH₃ (The CH₃ carbon is 1°).
Secondary Carbon (2° Carbon)
A carbon atom attached to two other carbon atoms.
Found in the middle of a carbon chain.
Example: CH₃-CH₂-CH₃ (The CH₂ carbon is 2°).
Tertiary Carbon (3° Carbon)
A carbon atom attached to three other carbon atoms.
Example: (CH₃)₃C-CH₃ (The central C is 3°).
Quaternary Carbon (4° Carbon)
A carbon atom attached to four other carbon atoms (no hydrogen).
Example: (CH₃)₄C (The central C is 4°).
Types of Hydrogen Atoms (1°, 2°, 3° Hydrogen)
The classification of hydrogen atoms depends on the type of carbon they are attached to.
Primary Hydrogen (1° Hydrogen)
Hydrogen attached to a primary (1°) carbon.
Example: CH₃-CH₂-CH₃ (Hydrogens in CH₃ are 1°).
Secondary Hydrogen (2° Hydrogen)
Hydrogen attached to a secondary (2°) carbon.
Example: CH₃-CH₂-CH₃ (Hydrogens in CH₂ are 2°).
Tertiary Hydrogen (3° Hydrogen)
Hydrogen attached to a tertiary (3°) carbon.
Example: (CH₃)₃C-H (The single hydrogen on the 3° carbon is 3° H).
Summary Table
| Type | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1° Carbon | Attached to one other carbon | CH₃-CH₂-CH₃ |
| 2° Carbon | Attached to two other carbons | CH₃-CH₂-CH₃ |
| 3° Carbon | Attached to three other carbons | (CH₃)₃C-CH₃ |
| 4° Carbon | Attached to four other carbons | (CH₃)₄C |
| 1° Hydrogen | Attached to 1° carbon | CH₃-CH₂-CH₃ |
| 2° Hydrogen | Attached to 2° carbon | CH₃-CH₂-CH₃ |
| 3° Hydrogen | Attached to 3° carbon | (CH₃)₃C-H |
Key Points
More substituted carbons (3° & 4°) are more stable due to steric hindrance.
3° and 2° carbons are more reactive in certain reactions (e.g., free radical, carbocation reactions).
Understanding this classification is essential in reaction mechanisms, stability, and predicting organic reactions.
Let me know if you need examples of reactions based on carbon types!
TYPE OF CARBON & TYPE OF HYDROGEN – 1, 2, 3, 4 DEGREE CARBON & 1, 2, 3 DEGREE HYDROGEN
hydrocarbons.pdf
Module 1 Hydrogen Properties
Understanding the types of carbon and hydrogen atoms is very important in organic chemistry, especially for studying reaction mechanisms, stability, and isomerism.
Types of Carbon Atoms
Carbon atoms in organic compounds are classified based on how many other carbon atoms they are directly bonded to.
| Type of Carbon | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1° (Primary) | Attached to 1 other carbon | CH₃–CH₂– (ethyl group) |
| 2° (Secondary) | Attached to 2 other carbons | CH₃–CH(CH₃)– |
| 3° (Tertiary) | Attached to 3 other carbons | (CH₃)₃C– |
| 4° (Quaternary) | Attached to 4 other carbons (no H) | (CH₃)₄C |
Visual Examples:
-
Primary Carbon (1°)
CH₃–CH₂–CH₃ → The middle CH₂ is secondary, both CH₃ groups are primary. -
Tertiary Carbon (3°)
(CH₃)₃C–OH → The central carbon is attached to 3 CH₃ groups = tertiary. -
Quaternary Carbon (4°)
(CH₃)₄C → The central carbon is bonded to 4 carbon atoms, no hydrogen.
Types of Hydrogen Atoms
Hydrogens are classified based on the type of carbon atom they are attached to.
| Type of Hydrogen | Attached to… | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1° (Primary) | 1° Carbon | CH₃–CH₂– (hydrogens on CH₃) |
| 2° (Secondary) | 2° Carbon | CH₃–CH(CH₃)– (hydrogens on central C) |
| 3° (Tertiary) | 3° Carbon | (CH₃)₃C– (hydrogens on central C if any) |
Note: A quaternary carbon has no hydrogen, so 4° hydrogen does not exist.
Quick Summary Table
| Type | Carbon Meaning | Hydrogen Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1° (Primary) | C bonded to 1 other C | H on 1° Carbon |
| 2° (Secondary) | C bonded to 2 other Cs | H on 2° Carbon |
| 3° (Tertiary) | C bonded to 3 other Cs | H on 3° Carbon |
| 4° (Quaternary) | C bonded to 4 other Cs (no H) |  No such hydrogen (not possible) |
Tip for Remembering:
-
Count how many carbon atoms are directly attached to the carbon in question.
-
The type of hydrogen depends on the type of carbon it is attached to.
Would you like visual diagrams or a quiz to test this knowledge?
