Basic organic chemistry

Question 1

Why does carbon have so many different compounds?

Answer 1

1. Carbons are able to bond with each other, creating chains and rings of different sizes.
2. Carbons are able to form a range of different bonds with itself including single, double and triple.
3. Carbon is also able to form a range of different bonds with other elements due to having 4 spare bonds.

Question 2

What is a homologous series?

Answer 2

A series of organic compounds with the sane functional group, but with each successive member differing by CH2.

Question 3

What are the different homologous series and what are their functional groups?

Answer 3

1. Alkane.
2. Alkene (C=C bond).
3. Halogenoalkanes (C-X), X being a halogen atom.
4. Alcohol (-OH).
5. Aldehyde (-HO).
6. Ketone (C=O).
7. Carboxylic acid (-COOH).

Question 4

What are the corresponding prefixes/ suffixes for the different functional groups?

Answer 4

1. Alkane: -ane.
2. Alkene: -ene.
3. Halogenoalkanes: Fluoro-, Chloro-, Bromo-, Iodo-.
4. Alcohol: -ol.
5. Aldehyde: -al.
6. Ketone: -one.
7. Carboxylic acid: -oic acid.

Question 5

What is a display formula?

Answer 5

A formula showing the relative positioning of all the atoms in a molecule and the bonds between them.

Question 6

What is a structural formula?

Answer 6

A formula showing the minimal detail for the arrangement of atoms in a molecule.

Question 7

What is a skeletal formula?

Answer 7

A simplified organic formula, with hydrogen atoms removed from alkyl chains, leaving just a carbon skeleton and associated functional groups.

Question 8

What is am empirical formula?

Answer 8

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

Question 9

What is a molecular formula?

Answer 9

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

Question 10

What is a general formula?

Answer 10

The simplest algebraic formula of a member of a homologous series.

Question 11

What is a functional group?

Answer 11

The part of the organic molecule responsible for its chemical reactions.

Question 12

What is a saturated hydrocarbon?

Answer 12

A hydrocarbon containing only single bonds.

Question 13

What is an unsaturated hydrocarbon?

Answer 13

A hydrocarbon containing carbon-to-carbon multiple bonds.

Question 14

What is an aliphatic hydrocarbon?

Answer 14

A hydrocarbon with carbon atoms joined together in straight or branched chains.

Question 15

What is an alicyclic hydrocarbon?

Answer 15

A hydrocarbon with carbon atoms joined together in a ring structure.

Question 16

What are structural isomers?

Answer 16

Molecules with the same molecular formula but with different structural arrangements of atoms.

Question 17

How can structural isomerism occur?

Answer 17

1. A hydrocarbon chain can be branched or unbranched.
2. The functional group can be in different positions on the hydrocarbon chain.
3. Functional groups may be different, but have the same molecular formula.