Basic concepts of Organic Chemistry

Question 1

How do you name organic compounds?

Answer 1

1. Find the longest carbon chain of the molecules
2. The functional group tells us the ending of the molecule
3. Number the carbon chain so that the functional group sit on the lowest possible carbon number
4. Make a not of the carbon attached to the functional group and place the number before the suffix
5. Any side chains and less important functional groups are written as prefixes
6. If there is more than 1 identical functional group, put di, tri or tetra

Question 2

Define general formula

Answer 2

An algebraic formula that can describe any member of a homologous series of compounds

Question 3

Define structural formula

Answer 3

The arrangement of atoms in a molecule without showing all the bonds

Question 4

Define empirical formula

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Define molecular formula

Answer 5

The actual number of atoms in an element

Question 6

Define displayed formula

Answer 6

Shows the arrangement of atoms showing all the bonds and atoms in the molecule

Question 7

Define skeletal formula

Answer 7

Shows the bonds of the carbon skeleton only (functional group are only shown)

Question 8

Define Homologous series

Answer 8

A family of organic compounds that have the same general formula and similar chemical properties

Question 9

What are the homologous series?

Answer 9

• Alkanes
• Alkenes
• Alcohols
• Aldehydes
• Ketons
• Carboxylic Acid
• Haloalkanes
• Cycloalkanes
• Esters

Question 10

Define functional group

Answer 10

The group of atoms that is responsible for the characteristic reactions of a compound

Question 11

Define an alkyl group

Answer 11

A hydrocarbon fragment with general formula CnH2n+1

Question 12

Define an aliphatic compound

Answer 12

A compound containing carbon and hydrogen joined together in straight chains, branched chains or non-aromatic rings

Question 13

Define an alicyclic compound

Answer 13

An organic compound that contains carbon and hydrogen joined together in an non-aromatic ring

Question 14

Define an aromatic compound

Answer 14

An organic compound that contains a benzene ring

Question 15

Define an unsaturated hydrocarbon

Answer 15

A hydrocarbon with carbon-carbon double bonds

Question 16

Define a saturated hydrocarbon

Answer 16

A hydrocarbon with single carbon-carbon bonds

Question 17

Define structural isomers

Answer 17

Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formula

Question 18

Define chain isomers

Answer 18

Compounds with the same molecular formula but different arrangement of carbon skeleton

Question 19

Define positional isomers

Answer 19

Compounds with the same molecular formula but different position of the functional group on the carbon skeleton

Question 20

Define functional group isomers

Answer 20

Compounds with the same molecular formula but different functional group

Question 21

Define homolytic fission

Answer 21

• The bond breaks evenly and each atom receives one electron from the bonded pair
• Two uncharged radicals are formed

Question 22

Define heterolytic fission

Answer 22

• The bond breaks unevenly with one of the bonded atoms receives both electrons from the bonded pair

Question 23

What is a radical?

Answer 23

• Radicals are very reactive and have an unpaired electron

Question 24

What do we use to show the movement of electrons?

Answer 24

• Curly arrows