Chemical Analysis of Organic Compounds: Composition, Methods

Chemical Analysis of Organic Compounds is a method for determining the formula of a compound, as well as the percentage composition of the elements contained in it and the functional group (s). Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, and halogen elements are the most prevalent components found in organic molecules. Isolation of each chemical employs a different approach.  

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleotides are all organic molecules that are required for human function. These molecules are classified as organic because they include both carbon and hydrogen. In this article, we will learn everything about the Chemical Analysis of Organic Compounds.

Chemical Composition of a Cell

Cells are composed of water, inorganic ions, and carbon-containing (organic) molecules. In cells, water is the most abundant molecule, accounting for 70% or more of total cell mass. As a result, in biological chemistry, the interactions between water and the other elements of cells are crucial. A cell’s elemental analysis reveals that it is made up of a variety of chemical analysis, the study of the chemical composition and structure of substances found in the cellular pool. Chemical analysis is necessary for ensuring that the environment is safe and healthy. Chemists can identify and monitor pollution using a number of approaches if it happens. Chemical analysis may be divided into two categories:

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components such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, chlorine, and so on. The approximate chemical composition of a bacterial cell is given below:

Chemical Analysis

Chemical analysis, is the study of the chemical composition and structure of substances found in the cellular pool. Chemical analysis is necessary for ensuring that the environment is safe and healthy. Chemists can identify and monitor pollution using a number of approaches if it happens. Chemical analysis may be divided into two categories:

1. Qualitative analysis:  Qualitative analysis is a technique for determining whether a chemical is present in a sample. The flame test is an example of this sort of study.

2. Quantitative analysis:  Quantitative analysis is a technique for determining how much of a chemical is present in a sample. The outcomes of these tests are numerical. A titration is an example of this sort of analysis.

Methods of Analysis of Organic Compound

Analysis of organic compounds is a method for determining the formula of a compound, as well as the percentage composition of the elements contained in it and the functional group (s). Functional groups such as aldehydes, ketones, aromatic molecules, and others can be identified from a chemical standpoint. It comprises three key strategies.

1. The technique of determining the functional group(s) is critical in organic analysis.
2. The molecular weights of the substances are determined using mass spectrometry.
3. Through “fingerprinting,” IR spectroscopy aids in the identification of substances.

Steps of Chemical Analysis of Organic Compounds

The steps of chemical analysis of organic compounds:

1. Take a piece of tissue (Soft plant tissue or animal tissue) 
2. Using a mortar and pestle, ground any living tissue in trichloroacetic acid (Cl₃CCOOH).
3. A thick slurry will be obtained. If it is strained through cheesecloth or cotton two fractions are obtained. One is the filtrate, or acid-soluble pool, while the other is retentate, or acid-insoluble fraction. 
4. Acid insoluble pool contains compounds like proteins, nucleic acids, polysaccharides, etc. whereas acid soluble pool contains thousands of organic molecules.

Scientists have isolated various chemicals and enzymes from acid soluble pools. After extracting the components, the extract is subjected to several separation procedures until a compound is isolated from all other compounds. In other words, a chemical is isolated and purified. Analytical methods, when applied to a chemical, provide us with an estimate of its molecular formula and likely structure.

Methods of Analysis of Inorganic Compounds

All carbon compounds obtained from living tissues are referred to as (biomolecules). Inorganic elements and compounds, on the other hand, are found in living beings. A cell’s elemental analysis reveals that it is made up of a variety of components including carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, chlorine, magnesium, and calcium. Sulphate, phosphate, and other inorganic chemicals can also be found in the acid-soluble fraction obtained.

Steps of Chemical Analysis of Inorganic Compounds

The steps of chemical analysis of Inorganic compounds are:

1. Take a piece of tissue (Soft plant tissue or animal tissue) 
2. Find the weight of the piece of living tissue.
3. Drying the piece of tissue till the water evaporates completely. 
4. Find the dry weight of leftover material. 
5. Now, if the tissue is completely burned, all carbon compounds will be oxidised to gaseous form CO₂, water vapour), and the carbon compounds will be eliminated.
6. Remaining ‘Ash’ (the term for what’s left) contains inorganic substances. Inorganic elements like calcium, magnesium etc can be found in this ash.

As a result, elemental analysis determines the composition of biological tissues in terms of hydrogen, oxygen, chlorine, carbon, and other elements.

Importance of Chemical Analysis of Organic Compounds

The importance of chemical analysis of organic compounds are as follows:

1. Chemical analysis enables us to detect and isolate a wide range of chemical compounds.
2. Chemical research reveals the structure and function of numerous molecules involved in cellular activity.
3. Gaining a better understanding of the molecular constitution of diverse molecules can aid medicine development and therapy.
4. The identification of specific compounds aids in the industrial use of such chemicals and their profit potential.

Summary

Cells contain water, inorganic ions, and organic molecules. In cells, water is the most abundant molecule, accounting for 70% or more of total cell mass. As a result, in biological chemistry, the interactions between water and the other elements of cells are crucial. The most common elements present in organic compounds are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, and halogen.  

The acid insoluble pool contains compounds like proteins, nucleic acids, polysaccharides, etc. whereas acid soluble pool contains thousands of organic molecules. Inorganic elements and compounds, on the other hand, are found in living beings. Analytical methods, when applied to a chemical, provide us with an estimate of its molecular formula and structure.

FAQs on Chemical Analysis of Organic Compounds

Q.1. What is the chemical composition of the cell?
Ans: Cells are composed of water, inorganic ions, and carbon-containing (organic) molecules.

Q.2. What is chemical analysis in biology? 
Ans: Chemical analysis is the study of the chemical composition and structure of substances that constitute a living cell.

Q.3. Do all cells have the same basic chemical composition? 
Ans: Yes! The basic chemical composition of all the cells is very similar.

Q.4. What are the types of chemical analysis? 
Ans: There are two types of chemical analysis: Qualitative analysis and Quantitative analysis.

Q.5. What is the importance of chemical analysis? 
Ans: Chemical analysis is the only way to learn about various substances (organic and inorganic), their molecular formulas, and structures and their uses in a living cell.

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