3.1 - Introduction to Organic Chemistry Flashcards
What is the definition of a molecular formula?
A molecular formula gives the actual number of atoms of each element in a molecule
What is the definition of a structural formula?
A structural formula shows the atoms carbon by carbon, with the attached hydrogens and functional groups
What is the definition of a displayed formula?
A displayed formula shows how all of the atoms are arranged, and all the bonds between them
What is the definition of an empirical formula?
An empirical formula gives the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms of each element in a compound
What is a homologous series?
A homologous series is a family of compounds that have the same functional group and the same general formula
What is the definition of a skeletal formula?
A skeletal formula shows the bonds of the carbon skeleton only, with any functional groups
What is the general formula for an alkane?
CnH2n+2
What suffix do alkanes have?
Alkanes end in -ane
How many other atoms are each carbon atom bonded to in alkanes?
Each carbon is bonded to four other atoms and is therefore saturated
What is a halogenoalkane?
A halogenoalkane have a similar structure to alkanes, except at least one of the hydrogen atoms are replaced with a halogen atom
What is a cycloalkane?
Cycloalkanes have a ring of carbon atoms with two hydrogens attached to each carbon
What is the general formula for a cycloalkane?
They have a general formula of CnH2n
Are cycloalkanes saturated?
Cycloalkanes are saturated
What is the prefix and suffix for cycloalkanes?
The prefix is cyclo- and the suffix is -ane
What is a branched alkane?
A branched alkane is an alkane that doesn’t have all the carbon atoms in one straight chain. They will have the main chain of carbon atoms (whichever is the longest) and one or more carbons coming off the main chain
What is an alkene?
An alkene is a hydrocarbon with a carbon-carbon double bond. This double bond means they are unsaturated
What is an alcohol?
An alcohol contains the hydroxyl (-OH) functional group
What is the general formula for alcohols?
The general formula is CnH2n+1OH
What is an aldehyde?
An aldehyde has a -CHO group on the end of a carbon chain, with a double bond between the carbon and the oxygen
What is the suffix for an aldehyde?
Aldehydes end in -al
What is a ketone?
Ketones contain a carbon-oxygen double bond, except it isn’t on the end of the main carbon chain
What is the suffix for a ketone?
The suffix for a ketone is -one
What is a carboxylic acid?
Carboxylic acid all contain the carboxyl functional group; this is a COOH with one carbon-oxygen bond being a double bond and the other being a single bond
What is the suffix for a carboxylic acid?
The suffix is -oic acid
How are straight-chain alkanes named?
To name a straight-chain alkane, find out the number of carbon atoms and add -ane to the end
How are branched alkanes named?
First of all, find the longest carbon chain. The side chains are then worked out and how many carbon atoms are attached to the main chain. The different carbon chains are named in alphabetical order
What happens if there are two or more of the same type of side chain?
Add di- for two, add tri- for three etc…
How are cycloalkanes named?
Cycloalkanes have the same as their straight-chain equivalent, but with cyclo- attached to the front. If the cycloalkane has an alkyl group attached, the number is not needed, only the name. If there is more than one alkyl group, the numbers should be as low as possible
What is the order of priority out of the following? Other Functional Groups, Halogens, Alkenes and Alkyl Groups
Halogens, alkyl groups, alkenes and then other functional groups
What is a mechanism?
A mechanism breaks down a reaction into a series of stages
What does a curly, double-headed arrow show?
It shows the movement of two electrons
What is a structural isomer?
A structural isomer has the same molecular formula, but a different structural formula (i.e. the atoms are connected in different ways)
What are the three types of structural isomers?
Chain isomers, position isomers and functional group isomers
What is a chain isomer?
A chain isomer has the same functional group but a different arrangement of the carbon skeleton
What is a position isomer?
Position isomers have the same carbon skeleton and the same atoms or groups of atoms attached. The difference is that the atoms or groups of atoms are attached to different carbon atoms
What is a functional group isomer?
Functional group isomers have the same atoms arranged in different functional groups
What is a stereoisomer?
Stereoisomers have the same structural formula but their atoms are arranged differently in space. E/Z isomerism is an example
Why are carbon double bonds different to carbon single bonds?
Carbon-carbon double bonds are planar and atoms can’t rotate around them. This restricted rotation causes E/Z isomerism
What is an E isomer?
An E isomer is one that has matching groups on the opposite side of the carbon-carbon double bond
What is a Z isomer?
A Z isomer is one that has matching groups both above or both below a double bond
Why are Cahn-Ingold-Prelog rules used?
They are used to work out the E and Z isomers of a molecule with three or four different groups attached
How are Cahn-Ingold-Prelog rules used?
The different atoms attached to either side of the double bond are each given their atomic number and are ranked in importance with the highest atomic number being the most important
