AS Organic definitions

Question 1

Hydrocarbon

Answer 1

A compound of hydrogen and carbon only

Question 2

Homologous series

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Functional group

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Saturated

Answer 4

Containing single bonds only

Question 5

Unsaturated

Answer 5

Containing at least one carbon-carbon multiple bond

Question 6

Empirical formula

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Molecular formula

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Structural isomers

Answer 8

Compounds with the same molecular formula but with different structural formulae

Question 9

Stereoisomers

Answer 9

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

Question 10

E/Z isomerism

Answer 10

an example of stereoisomerism, in terms of restricted rotation about a carbon-carbon double bond and the requirement for two different groups to be attached to each carbon of the C=C group

Question 11

Cis-trans isomerism

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Fractional distillation

Answer 12

Separation of a liquid mixture into fractions with different boiling points

Question 13

Catalytic cracking

Answer 13

The breaking down of long chained saturated hydrocarbons to form more useful alkanes (shorter chained) and alkenes

Question 14

Biofuel

Answer 14

A fuel that is derived from recently living material such as plants o from the waste of animals

Question 15

‘Curly arrow’

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Radical

Answer 16

A species with an unpaired electron

Question 17

Homolytic fission

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Heterolytic fission

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Electrophile

Answer 19

An electron pair acceptor

Question 20

Nucleophile

Answer 20

An electron pair donor

Question 21

Catalyst

Answer 21

Speeds up a reaction without being consumed by the overall reaction

Question 22

Volatility

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Reflux

Answer 23

The continuous boiling and condensing of a reaction mixture

Question 24

Atom economy

Answer 24

(Molecular mass of desired product) ÷ (sum of molecular mass of all products) x100