1. Contain Carbon: This is the defining feature of organic compounds. The carbon atom's ability to form four bonds with other atoms (including itself) allows for the creation of diverse and complex structures.
2. Contain Hydrogen: While not all organic compounds contain hydrogen, the vast majority do. Carbon-hydrogen bonds are fundamental to organic chemistry.
3. Covalent Bonding: Organic compounds are held together by covalent bonds, where atoms share electrons. This type of bonding results in molecules with relatively strong bonds.
4. Combustibility: Many organic compounds are flammable and will readily burn in the presence of oxygen, releasing energy in the form of heat and light. This is due to the presence of carbon-hydrogen bonds.
It's worth noting that there are exceptions to some of these properties. For example, there are a few organic compounds that lack hydrogen (like carbon tetrachloride, CCl4). However, the vast majority of organic compounds share these characteristics.
