Organic chemistry is a
chemistry subdiscipline involving the
scientific study of the structure, properties, and reactions of
organic compounds and
organic materials, i.e., matter in its various forms that contain
carbon atoms. Study of structure includes many physical and chemical methods to determine the
chemical composition and the
chemical constitution of organic compounds and materials. Study of properties includes both
physical properties and
chemical properties, and uses similar methods as well as methods to evaluate
chemical reactivity, with the aim to understand the behavior of the organic matter in its pure form (when possible), but also in solutions, mixtures, and fabricated forms. The study of
organic reactions includes probing their scope through use in preparation of target compounds (e.g.,
natural products,
drugs,
polymers, etc.) by
chemical synthesis, as well as the focused study of the
reactivities of individual organic molecules, both in the laboratory and via theoretical (
in silico) study.