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]
- 1 Types of Carbon & Types of Hydrogen Atoms in Organic Chemistry
- 2 Types of Carbon Atoms (1°, 2°, 3°, 4° Carbon)
- 3 Primary Carbon (1° Carbon)
- 4 Secondary Carbon (2° Carbon)
- 5 Tertiary Carbon (3° Carbon)
- 6 Quaternary Carbon (4° Carbon)
- 7 Types of Hydrogen Atoms (1°, 2°, 3° Hydrogen)
- 8 Primary Hydrogen (1° Hydrogen)
- 9 Secondary Hydrogen (2° Hydrogen)
- 10 Tertiary Hydrogen (3° Hydrogen)
- 11 Summary Table
- 12 Key Points
- 13 TYPE OF CARBON & TYPE OF HYDROGEN – 1, 2, 3, 4 DEGREE CARBON & 1, 2, 3 DEGREE HYDROGEN
- 14 hydrocarbons.pdf
- 15 Module 1 Hydrogen Properties
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!
