Basics/nomenclature/isomerism/alkanes/cracking 1 Flashcards
What is an organic compound/chemical
A covalent molecule based upon the element carbon.
How many covalent bonds can carbon form
Four
How many covalent bonds can oxygen form
Two
How many covalent bonds can hydrogen form
One
Define functional group
The part of the molecule that determines how it reacts
Define homologous series
A series of organic molecules that have the same functional group but each successive member has an additional -CH2
What is molecular formula
The formula that gives the actual number of atoms of each element in one molecule.
How do you write molecular formula
You first show the number of carbon atoms, then the number of hydrogen atoms, then all of the other elements are listed alphabetically.
What are the two problems with molecular formula
- A molecular formula does not give us any information on the structure of the molecule. - Different compounds have the same molecular formula.
What is empirical formula
The simplest whole number ratio of the atoms of each element in a compound.
What is displayed formula
The displayed formula shows us the relative position of each atom plus all of the covalent bonds.
What is the problem with displayed formulas
They do not show us accurate bond angles.
What is the structural formula
The structural formula of a compound shows how atoms are arranged but does not show us all of the bonds. It shows the atoms bonded to each carbon atom in turn.
What is skeletal formula
The skeletal formula shows the covalent bonds between carbon atoms plus the bonds to any functional groups. Each point in a skeletal formula represents a carbon atom.
What is the general formula
The general formula is the simplest algebraic formula for a member of a homologous series. It shows the number of atoms of each element in a substance which has n carbon atoms. Functional groups must be shown/clear in a general formula.
List the priority of functional groups when naming compounds from highest to lowest
Carboxylic acid
Nitrile
Aldehyde
Ketone
Alcohol
Amine
Alkene
Haloalkane
Summarise the method of naming an unknown compound
1) Find the longest carbon chain
2) Number the chain (remember which functional groups take priority and that some functional groups are carbon-1 by definition)
3) Put the groups on the chain in the name and write these in alphabetical order.
If there are several functional groups that are the same in a compound we are naming,which prefixes are used
Di,tri,tetra
What are isomers
Isomers are molecules that have the same molecular formula but whose atoms are arranged differently.
What are the two main types of isomerism
Structural isomerism and stereoisomerism
What is structural isomerism
Structural isomers are compounds/molecules that have the same molecular formula but whose atoms are arranged differently so they have different structures.
What is stereoisomerism (also called spatial isomerism)
Stereoisomerism is a form of isomerism in which molecules have the same molecular formula and sequence of bonded atoms (constitution), but differ in the three-dimensional orientations of their atoms in space.
What are the three types of structural isomerism
Chain isomerism
Functional group isomerism
Positional isomerism
What is chain isomerism
A form of structural isomerism where isomers differ in the arrangement of their hydrocarbon chains.
What is functional group isomerism
A form of structural isomerism where compounds have the same molecular formula but different functional groups.
What is positional isomerism
A form of structural isomerism where isomers differ in where the functional groups are joined to the skeleton/main chain.
What are the two types of stereoisomerism
E-Z isomerism
Optical isomerism
What is E-Z isomerism (also called geometric isomerism)
A form of stereoisomerism where the groups with the highest Mr each side of the double bond are arranged differently in different molecules.
What is an E-isomer (E/Z isomerism)
The isomer where the highest priority molecules/ groups (ones with the highest Mr) are on opposite sides of the molecule.
What is a Z isomer (E-Z isomerism)
The isomer where the highest priority molecules/groups (ones with the highest Mr) are on the same side of the larger molecule.