Basic Concepts of Organic Chemistry Flashcards
What is a hydrocarbon?
A compound containing carbon and hydrogen only.
What is a saturated hydrocarbon?
A hydrocarbon that has single bonds only
What is an unsaturated hydrocarbon?
A hydrocarbon that contains carbon-to-carbon multiple bonds
Define ‘homologous series’
A family of compounds with similar chemical properties whose successive members differ by the addition of a -CH2- group
What does functional group mean?
The part of the organic molecule that is responsible for the molecule’s chemical properties.
Define the term ‘aliphatic hydrocarbon’
Carbon atoms joined to each other in branched, unbranched or non-aromatic rings
Define the term ‘alicyclic hydrocarbon’
Carbon atoms are joined to each other in ring structures with or without branches
Define the term ‘aromatic hydrocarbon’
Some or all carbons found in a benzene ring
What do alkynes contain?
One or more triple carbon-carbon bond
What does the molecular formula show?
The number and type of atoms of each element present, but doesn’t show atoms are joined together.
What is the general formula?
The simplest algebraic formula for any member of a homologous series
What does the displayed formula show?
The relative positioning of all of the atoms in a molecule and the bonds between them
What two things does skeletal formulae show?
Carbon skeleton
Any Functional Groups
Define the term ‘structural isomers’
Compounds with same molecular formulae but different structural formulae
What happens to electrons during homolytic fission?
When the covalent bond breaks, each of the atoms takes one of the shared pair of electrons from the bond. Each atom left with a single unpaired electron
