4.1 - Basic concepts Flashcards
What is an organic compound ?
A compound that contains carbon atoms
Define the term ‘hydrocarbon’ ?
Hydrocarbon - A compound containing carbon and hydrogen atoms only
What are the two types of hydrocarbons ?
- Saturated
- Unsaturated
What are saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons ?
- Saturated hydrocarbons contain single bonds only
- Unsaturated hydrocarbons contain carbon-carbon multiple bonds ( double/ triple )
Define the term ‘homologous series’ ?
Homologous series - A family of organic compounds with similar chemical properties whose successive member differ by the addition of a -CH2- group
Define the term ‘functional group’ ?
Functional group - The part of the organic molecule which determines it’s chemical properties
What can hydrocarbons be classified as ?
- Aliphatic
- Alicyclic
- Aromatic
What does the term ‘aliphatic’ mean ?
Aliphatic : Carbon atoms are joined in unbranched, branched chains or non-aromatic rings
What does the term ‘alicyclic’ mean ?
Alicyclic : Carbon atoms are joined in ring/ cyclic structures ( with or without branches )
What does the term ‘aromatic’ mean ?
Aromatic : Some or all carbon atoms are found in a benzene ring
What are the three homologues series of aliphatic hydrocarbons ?
- Alkanes ( contains single C-C bonds only )
- Alkenes ( contains at least 1 C-C double bond )
- Alkynes ( Contains at least 1 C-C triple bond )
What are the steps in naming alkanes ?
- Identify the longest continuous chain
- Number the carbons on the longest chain from the end closest to the first branch
- List the branches in alphabetical order
- Prefix each branch name with the number of the carbon which its attached to
- If multiple branches of the same type, denote how many branches of this type there are ( using di- tri- , etc… )
What are the steps in naming alicyclic alkanes ?
- The process is the same as for alkanes
- The prefix ‘cyclo-‘ is placed in front of the set to show carbons are arranged in a ring structure
Do you know how to name alkanes ?
Yes
What are the steps in naming alkenes ?
- The process is similar as for alkanes
- Number the carbons on the longest chain from the end closer to the first double bond
- If multiple double bonds, denote the number using -diene, -triene
Do you know how to name alkenes ?
Yes
What are the steps in naming compound containing functional groups ?
- Identify the longest unbranched chain of carbon atoms
- Number the carbon atoms from the end containing ( OH > C=C > Halogen )
- Identify any functional groups and branches, selecting appropriate prefixes and suffixes for them
- List them in alphabetical order
- Number any groups to indicate their position
Do you know hot name compounds containing functional groups ?
Yes
What are the stems based off the number of carbons in the longest chain ?
- One carbon = meth-
- Two carbons = eth-
- Three carbons = prop-
- Four carbons = but-
- Five carbons = pent-
- Six carbons = hex-
- Seven carbons = hept-
- Eight carbons = oct-
- Nine carbons = non-
- Ten carbons = dec-
What are the prefixes used to denote the number of branches/ functional groups ?
- Two = di-
- Three = tri-
- Four = tetra-
- Five = penta-
- Six = hexa-
What is the functional group and prefix/suffix of alkenes ?
What is the functional group and prefix/suffix of alcohols ?
What is the functional group and prefix/suffix of haloalkanes ?
What is the functional group and prefix/suffix of aldehydes ?
What is the functional group and prefix/suffix of ketones ?
What is the functional group and prefix/suffix of carboxylic acid ?
What is the functional group and prefix/suffix of nitriles ?
What is the functional group and prefix/suffix of amines ?
What are the different types of formulae ?
- Molecular formula
- Empirical formula
- General formula
- Structural formula
- Displayed formula
- Skeletal formula
What does the molecular formula show ?
The actual number and type of atoms of each element in a compound
What does the empirical formula show ?
The simplest whole number ratio of the atoms of each element in a compound
What does the general formula show ?
The simplest algebraic formula for any member of a homologous series
What does the displayed formula show ?
The relative positioning of all atoms in a compound and bonds between them
What does the structural formula show ?
The arrangement of the atoms in a molecule using minimal detail
What does the skeletal formula show ?
A simplified organic formula with all carbon and hydrogen labels removed from carbon chain and any bonds to hydrogen atoms removed
Define the term ‘structural isomers’ ?
Structural isomers - Molecules with the same molecular formula but a different structural formula
Define the term ‘stereoisomers’ ?
Stereoisomers - Molecules with the same structural formula but a different spatial arrangement of atoms
What are the three different types of structural isomers ?
- Chain isomers
- Position isomers
- Functional group isomers
What are chain isomers ?
Isomers were the carbon chain is different
What are position isomers ?
Isomers were the functional groups can be in different positions on the carbon chain
What are functional group isomers ?
Isomers were some compounds with the same molecular formula contain different functional groups
What are the various groups with the same general formula for functional group isomers ?
- Aldehydes and ketones
- Carboxylic acid and esters
- Alkene and cycloalkanes
Define the term ‘electrophile’ ?
Electrophile - An electron pair acceptor
Define the term ‘nucleophile’ ?
Nucleophile - an electron pair donor