Classification of Carbon Chains. Carbon Chains

The carbon chains, that is, the molecules of any organic compound that are formed by set of all carbon atoms and heteroatoms, can be classified according to several criteria. Next, this classification and the criteria adopted will be better explained:

1- Regarding the closing of the chain:

1.1- Open chain, acyclic or aliphatic: an open chain is one that has at least two ends or ends, there are no threads, closures, loops or rings on it. Examples:

Examples of open carbon chains

1.2- Closed or cyclical chain: it has no ends or ends, its atoms are joined, closing the chain and forming a chain, cycle, nucleus or ring. Examples:

Examples of closed carbon chains

1.3- Mixed chain: presents both a part of the closed chain and a part of the open one. Examples:

Examples of mixed carbon chains

2 – Regarding the arrangement of carbon atoms in the carbon chain:

2.1- Normal, straight or linear chain: it occurs when there are only primary and secondary carbons in the chain. Being in a single sequence, they generate only two ends or ends. Examples:

Examples of normal carbon chains

2.2- Branched chain: are those that have three or more ends, with tertiary or quaternary carbons. Examples:

Examples of branched carbon chains

3 – Regarding the type of bond between carbon atoms:

Do not stop now... There's more after the advertising ;)

3.1- Saturated chain: classification given to those chains that have only single bonds between carbons. Examples:

Examples of saturated carbon chains

3.2- Unsaturated chain: chains that have at least one double or triple bond between the carbons. Examples:

Examples of unsaturated carbon chains.

4 – Regarding the nature of the atoms that make up the carbon chain:

4.1- Homogeneous chain: are those that do not have any heteroatom between carbons, that is, these chains are made up only of carbons. Examples:

Examples of homogeneous carbon chains

4.2- Heterogeneous chain: in this case there is some heteroatom between the carbons, which are normally oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and sulfur (S). Examples:

Examples of heterogeneous carbon chains

5 – Regarding the appearance of an aromatic ring in the carbon chain:

5.1- Aromatic chain: they are those that present in their structure at least one benzene ring, also called aromatic ring (C6H6). Examples:

Examples of aromatic carbon chains

5.2- Non-aromatic or alicyclic chain: they are closed chains that do not have a benzene ring in their structure. Examples:

Examples of non-aromatic carbon chains

* Mind Map by Me. Diogo Lopes

By Jennifer Fogaça
Graduated in Chemistry

Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:

FOGAÇA, Jennifer Rocha Vargas. "Classification of Carbon Chains"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/quimica/classificacao-das-cadeias-carbonicas.htm. Accessed on June 28, 2021.

Esterification: what is it and reactions

Esterification: what is it and reactions

Esterification is a reversible chemical reaction between a carboxylic acid and an alcohol, produc...

read more
Polymers: what they are, types, examples and biodegradable

Polymers: what they are, types, examples and biodegradable

Polymers are macromolecules made up of smaller units, the monomers. Monomers are linked together ...

read more
Alkynes: what they are, characteristics and nomenclature

Alkynes: what they are, characteristics and nomenclature

Alkynes or alkynes are acyclic and unsaturated hydrocarbons due to the presence of a triple bond ...

read more