Basic Concepts of Organic Chemistry Flashcards
What is a hydrocarbon?
A compound containing only hydrogen and carbon.
What is the difference between a saturated and an unsaturated hydrocarbon?
A saturated hydrocarbon only has single bonds. Whereas an unsaturated hydrocarbon contains multiple bonds.
What is a homologous series?
A compound with the same functional group that differ by CH2.
What is a functional group ?
The part of the organic molecule that is responsible for the molecule’s chemical properties.
Q
What is an alicyclic hydrocarbon?
Aliphatic compounds arranged in non-aromatic rings with or without side chains.
e.g. Cyclohexane
Q
What is an aliphatic hydrocarbon?
Compound containing hydrogen and carbon joined together in straight, branched or non-aromatic rings.
e.g. Methane
What is the difference between alkanes, alkenes and alkynes?
Alkanes - single carbon carbon bonds
Alkenes - one or more carbon carbon double bond
Alkynes - one or more carbon carbon triple bond
Q
What is the functional group and suffix for an alkene?
c=c
-ene
Q
What is the functional group and suffix for an alcohol?
-OH
-ol
Q
What is the functional group and prefix for a haloalkane?
-Cl / -Br / -I
Chloro- / Bromo- / Iodo-
What is the functional group and suffix for an aldehyde?
-CHO
-ends in ‘al ‘
h-c=o
h-c-h
What is the functional group and suffix for a ketone?
-C(CO)C-
-ends in ‘one ‘
c
c=o
c
Q
What is the functional group and suffix for a carboxylic acid?
-COOH
-oic acid
O=c-OH
H- c-H
Q
What is a general formula?
The simplest algebraic formula for any member of a homologous series.
What is displayed formula?
A
Shows the relative positioning of all of the atoms in a molecule and the bonds.
(The one you draw out)
What is structural formula?
Gives the minimum detail for the arrangement of atoms in a molecule
What is skeletal formula?
The briefest way of representing organic molecules. Lines are used to indicate alkyl chains, and every corner representing a carbon atom.
Isomer
Compounds that have the same molecular formula but different structural formula
Types of Isomerism:
Chain
Position
Functional group
Chain Isomerism
-Caused by different arrangements of the carbon skeleton
-Similar chemical properties
-Slightly different physical properties
-More branching, lower boiling point.
Positional Isomerism
- Molecule has the same carbon skeleton
- Molecule has the same functional group but the functional group is in a different position.
- Have similar chemical properties / different physical properties.
Functional group Isomerism
- Molecules have the same molecular formula
- Molecules have different functional groups
- Molecules have different chemical properties
- Molecules have different physical properties.
Aromatic
Compound containing a benzene ring.
e.g. Chlorobenzene
