Chapter 11 - Basic Concepts of Organic Chemistry

Question 1

What is a homologous series?

Answer 1

A series of organic compounds having the same functional group but with each successive member
differing by CH2.

Question 2

What is a saturated hydrocarbon?

Answer 2

A hydrocarbon containing single bonds only.

Question 3

What is a functional group?

Definition not required for exam but understanding is necessary.

Answer 3

The part of the organic molecule that is largely responsible for the molecule’s chemical properties.

Question 4

What is an aliphatic compound?

Answer 4

A compound containing carbon and hydrogen joined together in straight chains, branched chains or non-aromatic rings.

Question 5

What is an alicyclic compound?

Answer 5

An aliphatic compound arranged in non-aromatic rings with or without side chains.

Question 6

What is an aromatic compound?

Answer 6

A compound containing a benzene ring.

Question 7

What is molecular formula?

Definition not required for exam but understanding is necessary.

Answer 7

A formula which shows the number and type of atoms of each element in a molecule. (e.g. C2H6O)

Question 8

What is empirical formula?

Definition not required for exam but understanding is necessary.

Answer 8

The simplest whole-number ratio of the atoms of each element present in a compound. (e.g. C6H12O (molecular formula) CH2O (empirical formula)).

Question 9

What is general formula?

Definition not required for exam but understanding is necessary.

Answer 9

The simplest algebraic formula for any number of a homologous series.

Question 10

What is structural formula?

Definition not required for exam but understanding is necessary.

Answer 10

A formula which shows the smallest amount of detail necessary to show the arrangement of the atoms in a molecule (e.g. CH3CH2CH2CH3).

Question 11

What are structural isomers?

Answer 11

Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulae.

Question 12

What happens in homolytic fission?

Answer 12

A covalent bond is broken with each bonding atom receiving one electron from the bonded pair of electrons.

• Each atom now has a single unpaired electron
• 2 radicals are produced

Question 13

What is a radical?

Answer 13

A species with an unpaired electron.

Question 14

What happens in heterolytic fission?

Answer 14

A covalent bond is broken with one of the bonded atoms receiving both electrons from the bonded pair, forming two oppositely charged ions.

• The atom that takes both electrons becomes a negative ion.
• The atom that does not take the electrons becomes a positive ion.

Question 15

What happens in an addition reaction?

Answer 15

Two reactants join together to form one product.

2 reactants → 1 product

Question 16

What happens in a substitution reaction?

Answer 16

An atom or group of atoms is replaced by a different atom or group of atoms.

e.g.
C3H7Br + OH → C3H80 + Br

Question 17

What happens in an elimination reaction?

Answer 17

A small molecule is removed from a larger one.

One reactant molecule forms two products, often in the presence of a catalyst.

Question 18

Revise how to draw reaction mechanisms.

Answer 18

Revise how to draw reaction mechanisms.

Question 19

In a reaction mechanism, a curly arrow must start from…

Answer 19

…a bond, a lone pair, or a negative charge.

Question 20

What is the general formula of an alkyl group?

Answer 20

CnH2n+1

Question 21

Curly arrows are used to show…

Answer 21

…the movement of a pair of electrons.

Question 22

What is a hydrocarbon?

Answer 22

A compound containing carbon and hydrogen ONLY.

Question 23

What is an unsaturated compound?

Answer 23

A hydrocarbon containing at least one multiple carbon-carbon bond.