1.1 The element carbon has atomic number 6, and so it has a total of six electrons. Two of these elec- tr rons are in the Is level. The four electrons in the 2s and 2p levels (the valence shell) are the valence electrons. Carbon has four valence electrons 1.2 Electron configurations of elements are derived by applying the following principles:
ow that we've reviewed the various bonding models, we are ready to examine organic compounds in respect to their structure, reactions, properties, and appli cations. Were we to list the physical and chemical properties of each of the more than million organic compounds separately, it would tax the capacity of even a pow- erful computer. Yet someone who is trained in organic chemistry can simply look at the structure