A2 Organic

Question 1

Nucleophile

Answer 1

An electron pair donor

Question 2

Electrophile

Answer 2

An electron pair acceptor

Question 3

Structural isomer

Answer 3

Compounds with the same molecular formula but with different structural formulae

Question 4

Stereoisomers

Answer 4

Compounds with the same structural formula but with different arrangements of atoms in space

Question 5

E/Z isomerism

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Cis-trans isomerism

Answer 6

A special case of E/Z isomerism in which two of the substituent groups are the same

Question 7

Optical isomers

Answer 7

Non-superimposable mirror images about an organic chiral centre

Question 8

Chiral centre

Answer 8

Four different groups attached too a carbon atom

Question 9

‘Curly arrow’

Answer 9

The movement of an electron pair, showing either the making or breaking of a covalent bond

Question 10

Radical

Answer 10

A species with an unpaired electron

Question 11

Homolytic fission

Answer 11

The breaking of a covalent bond where each of the bonded atoms retains one electron from the bonded pair of electrons

Question 12

Heterolytic fission

Answer 12

The breaking of a covalent bond where one of the bonded atoms retains both of the electrons from the bonded pair of electrons

Question 13

Hydrocarbon

Answer 13

A compound of hydrogen and carbon only

Question 14

Homologous series

Answer 14

A series of organic compounds having the same functional group but with each successive member differing by CH2

Question 15

Saturated

Answer 15

Containing single bonds only

Question 16

Unsaturated

Answer 16

Containing at least one carbon to carbon double bond

Question 17

Empirical formula

Answer 17

The simplest whole number ratio of atoms of each element present in a compound

Question 18

Molecular formula

Answer 18

The actual number of atoms of each element present in a molecule

Question 19

Functional group

Answer 19

A group of atoms responsible for the characteristic reactions of a compound

Question 20

Catalyst

Answer 20

Speeds up a reaction without being consumed by the overall reaction

Question 21

Volatility

Answer 21

The ease that a liquid turns into a gas (increases as boiling point decreases)

Question 22

Reflux

Answer 22

The continuous boiling and condensing of a reaction mixture

Question 23

Atom economy

Answer 23

(Molecular mass of desired product / molecular mass of all products) x100

Question 24

Substitution

Answer 24

A reaction in which an atom or group of atoms is replaced by another atom or group of atoms