CHAPTER 11: BASIC CONCEPTS OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY Flashcards
Why is carbon so special?
Carbon has four electrons in the outer shell, and can make four covalent bonds to other atoms.
What is a hydrocarbon?
A compound containing hydrogen and carbon.
What is the difference between saturated and unsaturated bonds?
A saturated hydrocarbon has single bonds only, an unsaturated hydrocarbon has carbon-carbon double and triple bonds.
What is a homologous series?
A homologous series is a family of compounds with similar chemical properties whose successive members differ by the addition of a CH2 group.
What is a functional group?
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.
What is an aliphatic hydrocarbon?
Carbon atoms are joined to each other in unbranched (straight) or branched chains, or non-aromatic rings
What is an alicyclic hydrocarbon?
Carbon atoms are joined to each other in ring (cyclic)
What is an aromatic hydrocarbon?
Some or all of the carbon atoms are found in a benzene ring.
How do you use IUPAC to name compounds?
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.
What is a molecular formula?
The molecular formula shows the number and type of atoms of each element present in a molecule. Eg. C2H6O
What is an empirical formula?
The empirical formula is the simplest whole-number ratio of the atoms of each element present in a compound. Eh. CH2O
What is the general formula?
The general formula is the simplest algebraic formula for any member of a homologous series. Eg CnH2n
What is a displayed formula?
A displayed formula shows the relative positioning of all the atoms in a molecule and the bonds between them.
What is a structural formula?
The structural formula shows the smallest amount of detail necessary to show the arrangement of atoms in a molecule. Eg. CH3CH2CH2CH3.
What is a skeletal formula?
A skeletal formula is a simplified organic formula. It removes all carbons and hydrogens.
What are structural isomers?
Compounds with the same molecular formula but a different structural formula.
What are chain isomers?
These are molecules with the same molecular formula but a different arrangement of the carbon chain. Chains can be straight or branched.
What are position isomers?
These are molecules with the same functional group attached to a different position on the carbon chain.
What a functional group isomers?
These are molecules with the same functional group attached to a different position on the carbon chain.
What are the two types of covalent bond fission?
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.
What are the types of reaction?
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