What is a heteroatom?

A heteroatom is an atom in a molecule that is not carbon or hydrogen. Common heteroatoms include oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorous. Heteroatoms play an important role in determining the chemical reactivity and properties of a molecule. For example, oxygen atoms can participate in hydrogen bonding, nitrogen atoms can act as Lewis bases, and sulfur atoms can form disulfide bonds. Heteroatoms are often found in functional groups, such as amines, alcohols, and carbonyls, which are key features in organic chemistry.