chapter 11 basic concepts of organic chemistry Flashcards
what is the main component of organic chemistry?
carbon. this element is special because it can form many types of bonds
what is a hydrocarbon?
a compound containing only hydrogen and carbon
what does saturated mean?
contains only single bonds e.g. alkanes
what does unsaturated mean?
containing a multiple C=C bond e.g. alkenes and alkynes.
what is a homologous series?
a family of compounds with similar chemical properties whose successive members differ by CH2
what is a functional group?
part of the organic molecule responsible for the molecules chemical properties
what is nomenclature?
a system of naming compounds
what are the 3 classifications of hydrocarbons?
•aliphatic
•alicyclic
•aromatic
what does aliphatic mean?
carbon atoms are joined to eachother in unbranched or branched chains or non aromatic rings
what does alicyclic mean?
carbon atoms are joined to each other in ring structures with or without branches
what does aromatic mean?
some or all of the carbon atoms are found in a benzene ring
what are the 3 homologous series of aliphatic hydrocarbons?
alkanes, alkenes, alkynes
what does the stem of an organic compounds name indicate?
the number of carbon atoms in its longest chain e.g. prop, but, pent etc
what do prefixes and suffixes in a compound’s name indicate?
•prefix- can be added before the stem to indicate the presence of side chains or functional groups
•suffix- added after the stem to indicate functional groups
what are the 4 steps to naming aliphatic alkanes?
•all alkanes have the suffix -ane
•identify the longest continuous chain of carbon atoms
•identify any side chains attached to the parent chain
•add numbers before any alkyl groups to indicate the position of the alkyl group on the parent chain
what is an alkyl group?
a side chain formed by removing a H atom removed from an alkane parent
which C chain is considered the longest if there are multiple possible chains with the same length?
the chain with the most branching
what is the prefix used when naming alicyclic alkanes?
cyclo-
what are the rules for naming alkenes?
all alkenes have the suffix -ene and the position of the C=C bond must be stated for alkenes but- and above
what are the 3 steps needed for naming compounds containing functional groups?
•identify longest C chain
•identify functional groups and alkyl groups
•number alkyl groups and functional groups
what is the aldehyde functional group and suffix?
-CHO and -al
what is the ketone functional group and suffix?
-C(CO)C- and -one
what is the molecular formula?
a formula that shows the number and type of atoms of each element but does not show how they are bonded. e.g. C6H12O6 - glucose
what is the empirical formula?
a formula that shows the simplest whole number ratio of atoms of each element present in a compound. e.g. CH2O for glucose
what is the general formula?
the simplest algebraic formula for any member of a homologous series. e.g. CnH2n+2 for alkanes
what is the displayed formula?
shows the relative positioning of all the atoms in a molecule and the bonds between them.
what is the structural formula?
a formula showing minimal detail for the arrangement of atoms in a molecule
what is the skeletal formula?
a simplified organic formula, with H atoms removed from alkyl chains leaving just a carbon skeleton and associated functional groups
what is structural isomerism?
compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formula
what are the two types of fission that can break covalent bonds?
homolytic and heterolytic fission
what is homolytic fission?
each of the bonded atoms takes one of the shared pair of electrons from the bond leaving each atom with a single unpaired electron
what is a radical?
an atom or group of atoms with an unpaired electron
what is heterolytic fission?
when the covalent bond breaks one atom takes both electrons. this leaves a positive and negative ion
what is the reaction mechanism?
sequence of bond breaking and bond forming steps that shows the path taken by electrons during a reaction
what are curly arrows used for in reaction mechanisms?
to show the movement of a pair of electrons when bonds are being broken or made
what are the 3 types of reaction?
•addition
•substitution
•elimination
what are curly arrows with half arrow heads used for?
fish hook heads are used to show the movement of just one electron during homolytic fission
what is an addition reaction?
two reactants join together to form one product.
e.g. but-2-ene + water = butan-2-ol
what is a substitution reaction?
an atom or group of atoms is replaced by a different atom or group of atoms.
e.g. 1-bromopropane + OH- = propan-1-ol + Br-
what is an elimination reaction?
involves the removal of a small molecule from a larger one. one reactant molecule forms 2 products.
e.g. propan-1-ol = propene + water
