CH4 Definitions Flashcards
Conjugation
A repeating pattern of single and double bonds between carbon atoms.
Chromophore
A group or series of groups that are responsible for the compound being coloured.
Stereoisomerism
The compound has the same structural formula but whose atoms / groups take up different positions in space / in three dimensions
Enantiomers
Nonsuperimposable mirror-image isomers.
Racemic Mixture
An equimolar mixture of both optical isomers.
Delocalisation
Electron pairs are shared between three or more carbon atoms, as in aromatic compounds such as benzene and napthalene.
Delocalisation energy of Benzene
The energy difference between the theoretical and expected energy values of Benzene, which arises due to the delocalisation of the π-electrons.
Electrophilic Substitution
Repacement of ‘ring hydrogen atoms’ by an electron-deficient ‘group’ such as NO2+ or CH3+.
Polarisation
An unequal electron distribution in a covalent bond.
Bond energy
The energy needed to break a covalent bond into its constituent ‘atoms’ (in the gas phase). The higher the value then the stronger the bond.
Homologous series
A family of compounds that have the same general formula and contain the same functional group.
Acid
A proton donor
Alkali
A proton acceptor
Decarboxylation
The loss of a carboxyl group (CO2). This reaction leads to a reduction in the length of the carbon chain.
Hydrolysis
Decomposition by the addition of water.
