The study of organic chemistry dates back to the early 19th century, when chemists began to isolate and characterize compounds from natural sources such as plants and animals. One of the earliest and most influential organic chemists was Friedrich Wöhler, who in 1828 synthesized urea from inorganic starting materials, disproving the long-held theory that organic compounds could only be produced by living organisms.
Historically, the term "organic" referred to compounds derived from living organisms (plants and animals). Chemists believed these substances contained a "vital force" that could not be replicated in a lab. That theory was shattered in 1828 when Friedrich Wöhler synthesized urea (an organic compound) from ammonium cyanate (an inorganic salt). Today, the distinction is purely chemical: Organic Chemistry
Students often fail when they try to memorize every reaction. Success in organic chemistry requires understanding electron flow . You must learn to push arrows to show how electrons move from a nucleophile (electron-rich) to an electrophile (electron-poor). The study of organic chemistry dates back to
