## TL;DR
Organic chemistry studies carbon-based compounds — from simple hydrocarbons to complex biomolecules. Understanding reaction mechanisms predicts product formation and enables rational synthesis.

## Core Explanation
Functional groups: alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, aromatics, alcohols, ethers, carbonyls, carboxylic acids, amines. Reaction types: substitution, addition, elimination, oxidation-reduction. Resonance and inductive effects explain stability and reactivity. Nucleophiles (electron-rich) attack electrophiles (electron-poor).

## Detailed Analysis
Spectroscopy for structure determination: IR identifies functional groups, NMR reveals C-H framework, mass spectrometry provides molecular weight and fragmentation patterns. Retrosynthetic analysis works backward from target to available starting materials.

## Further Reading
- Master Organic Chemistry (online resource)
- ChemDraw
- IUPAC Nomenclature