Alkanes Flashcards
Why can carbon form so many compounds?
It can bond with 4 molecules
It can bond with a wide variety of other elements
It can form large structures
Define hydrocarbons
An organic compound containing only carbon and hydrogen atoms.
Define aliphatic
A non-aromatic carbon containing compound with branched, linear or cyclic structure.
Define alicyclic.
A carbon containing compound which forms a non-aromatic, branched or unbranched ring in structure.
Define aromatic.
A carbon containing compound which includes a benzene ring.
Define saturated.
An organic compound that contains no C=C double bonds, and hence cannot hold any more H atoms.
Define unsaturated.
An organic compound that contains at least one C=C double bond.
Define homologous series.
a series of organic compounds with the same functional group, with each successive member differing by CH2
Define functional group
A group of atoms responsible for the characteristics of a compound in a reaction.
Name the first 10 alkanes.
Methane, ethane, propane, butane, pentane, hexane, heptane, octane, nonane, decane.
Give the general formula of an alkane.
CnH(2n+2)
Give the general formula of a cycloalkane
CnH2n
Define general formula
The algebraic ratio between the numbers of atoms of each element in a homologous series.
Define empirical formula
The smallest whole number ratio between the number of atoms of each element in a molecule.
Define molecular formula
The actual number of atoms of each element in a molecule.
Define displayed formula
The arrangement of atoms in a compound in space, including the bonds.
Define structural formula
The atoms in a molecule ordered with regards to their position within the molecule to give the complete structure of a molecule as simply as possible.
Define skeletal formula
The minimalist representation of the structure of molecules, showing carbon atoms as corners, and not showing hydrogen atoms.
What is an alkyne?
A hydrocarbon containing a triple C C bond.