A2 Organic Flashcards
Nucleophile
An electron pair donor
Electrophile
An electron pair acceptor
Structural isomer
Compounds with the same molecular formula but with different structural formulae
Stereoisomers
Compounds with the same structural formula but with different arrangements of atoms in space
E/Z isomerism
An example of stereoisomerism, in terms of restricted rotation about a carbon double bond and the requirement for two different groups to be attached to each carbon of the C=C group
Cis-trans isomerism
A special case of E/Z isomerism in which two of the substituent groups are the same
Optical isomers
Non-superimposable mirror images about an organic chiral centre
Chiral centre
Four different groups attached too a carbon atom
‘Curly arrow’
The movement of an electron pair, showing either the making or breaking of a covalent bond
Radical
A species with an unpaired electron
Homolytic fission
The breaking of a covalent bond where each of the bonded atoms retains one electron from the bonded pair of electrons
Heterolytic fission
The breaking of a covalent bond where one of the bonded atoms retains both of the electrons from the bonded pair of electrons
Hydrocarbon
A compound of hydrogen and carbon only
Homologous series
A series of organic compounds having the same functional group but with each successive member differing by CH2
Saturated
Containing single bonds only
Unsaturated
Containing at least one carbon to carbon double bond
Empirical formula
The simplest whole number ratio of atoms of each element present in a compound
Molecular formula
The actual number of atoms of each element present in a molecule
Functional group
A group of atoms responsible for the characteristic reactions of a compound
Catalyst
Speeds up a reaction without being consumed by the overall reaction
Volatility
The ease that a liquid turns into a gas (increases as boiling point decreases)
Reflux
The continuous boiling and condensing of a reaction mixture
Atom economy
(Molecular mass of desired product / molecular mass of all products) x100
Substitution
A reaction in which an atom or group of atoms is replaced by another atom or group of atoms
α-Amino acid
Has general formula RCH(NH2)COOH
Condensation polymerisation
The joining of monomers with the elimination of a small molecule such as water
Hydrolysis
The breaking of a bond by its reaction with water or hydroxide ion
Chromatography
An analytical technique that separates components in a mixture between a mobile phase and a stationary phase
Mobile phase
The phase which moves- may be liquid (LC) or a gas (GC)
Stationary phase
The phase that does not move and may be a solid (TLC) or a liquid on a solid support (GC)
Rf
(distance moved by the component) ÷ (distance moved by solvent front)
Retention time
The time taken for a component to pass from the column inlet to the detector
