What is the main focus of organic chemistry?

The main focus of organic chemistry is the study of carbon-containing compounds. This branch of chemistry is primarily concerned with the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation of various carbon-based substances. Organic compounds can include hydrocarbons (which are solely made up of carbon and hydrogen) as well as those that contain other elements such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and halogens.

Carbon's unique ability to form stable bonds with itself and other elements allows for a vast diversity of organic compounds, which are essential for life. These compounds form the basis of biological molecules like carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Understanding organic chemistry is crucial not only in fields like biochemistry and molecular biology but also in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and materials science, as it plays a key role in designing new drugs, developing agricultural chemicals, and creating a wide array of synthetic materials.

In contrast, the other options focus on areas outside the realm of organic chemistry. Inorganic chemistry, for instance, deals with compounds that generally do not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds, while the study of mineral properties and metal reactions involves elements and substances that are typically covered under different branches of chemistry.