CHAPTER 11: BASIC CONCEPTS OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

Question 1

Why is carbon so special?

Answer 1

Carbon has four electrons in the outer shell, and can make four covalent bonds to other atoms.

Question 2

What is a hydrocarbon?

Answer 2

A compound containing hydrogen and carbon.

Question 3

What is the difference between saturated and unsaturated bonds?

Answer 3

A saturated hydrocarbon has single bonds only, an unsaturated hydrocarbon has carbon-carbon double and triple bonds.

Question 4

What is a homologous series?

Answer 4

A homologous series is a family of compounds with similar chemical properties whose successive members differ by the addition of a CH2 group.

Question 5

What is a functional group?

Answer 5

A functional group is the part of an organic group that is responsible for the molecule’s chemical properties and can bond to other elements. A homologous series has the same functional group.

Question 6

What is an aliphatic hydrocarbon?

Answer 6

Carbon atoms are joined to each other in unbranched (straight) or branched chains, or non-aromatic rings

Question 7

What is an alicyclic hydrocarbon?

Answer 7

Carbon atoms are joined to each other in ring (cyclic)

Question 8

What is an aromatic hydrocarbon?

Answer 8

Some or all of the carbon atoms are found in a benzene ring.

Question 9

How do you use IUPAC to name compounds?

Answer 9

Step 1: Identify the longest carbon chain so that you know whether to use wether to use — meth, eth, prop etc.
Step 2: Identify the functional group so you know what suffix to use — ane, ene, ol etc.
Step 3: Identify the side chains and what carbon they are on — 2, 3, methyl, ethyl
Step 4: If there are multiple side chains use prefixes — di, tri, tetra
Step 5: Combine the steps.

Question 10

What is a molecular formula?

Answer 10

The molecular formula shows the number and type of atoms of each element present in a molecule. Eg. C2H6O

Question 11

What is an empirical formula?

Answer 11

The empirical formula is the simplest whole-number ratio of the atoms of each element present in a compound. Eh. CH2O

Question 12

What is the general formula?

Answer 12

The general formula is the simplest algebraic formula for any member of a homologous series. Eg CnH2n

Question 13

What is a displayed formula?

Answer 13

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

Question 14

What is a structural formula?

Answer 14

The structural formula shows the smallest amount of detail necessary to show the arrangement of atoms in a molecule. Eg. CH3CH2CH2CH3.

Question 15

What is a skeletal formula?

Answer 15

A skeletal formula is a simplified organic formula. It removes all carbons and hydrogens.

Question 16

What are structural isomers?

Answer 16

Compounds with the same molecular formula but a different structural formula.

Question 17

What are chain isomers?

Answer 17

These are molecules with the same molecular formula but a different arrangement of the carbon chain. Chains can be straight or branched.

Question 18

What are position isomers?

Answer 18

These are molecules with the same functional group attached to a different position on the carbon chain.

Question 19

What a functional group isomers?

Answer 19

These are molecules with the same functional group attached to a different position on the carbon chain.

Question 20

What are the two types of covalent bond fission?

Answer 20

Homolytic Fission
When the bond breaks, each electron in the bond goes to a different atom. This results in the formation of highly reactive free radicals, each with an unpaired electron, which is represented by a dot. One electron moving is a single headed arrow.

Heterolytic Fission
When the bond breaks, both the electrons in the bond go to the same atom. This results in the formation of a positively charged cation and a negatively charged anion. Two electrons moving is a double headed arrow.

Question 21

What are the types of reaction?

Answer 21

Addition reaction - two reactions join together to form one product
Substitution reaction - an atom or group is replaced by a different atom or group of atoms
Elimination reaction - involves the removal of a small molecule to form a larger one. It forms at least two products