Chapter 11 - Intro to Organic Chemistry Flashcards
what is organic chemistry
the study of carbon comoounds
what is an organic comound
a compound made up of carbon bonded to other elements, usually hydrogen, nitrogen or oxygen
what is a general formula
an algebraic formula that describes a homologous series of organic compounds
what is the empirical formula
a formula which shows the lowest whole number ratio of atoms of different elements present in compounds
what is the molecular formula
a formula showing the actual number or atoms of each element present in a compound
what is the structural formula
a formula which shows how atoms are arranged in the molecule by tracing the carbon backbone and showing what atoms are bonding to what atoms, it indicates the functional group also.
what is the skeletalformula
a formula which displays the bonding framework using only lines, but shows the functional group using symbols
it traces the carbon carbon bonds
what is the displayed formula
a formula which shows the exact arrangement of all the atoms and every bond between them
how can you determine the name of a n organic compound using its structural formula
- find the longest chain of hydrocarbons
- identify the key functional group
- number the chain of carbons starting with the carbon bonded closest to the functional group
- identify the side chain prefixes and the number carbon they are on
- add multipliers if there are multiple of the same side chains
- put it all together: start with the side chains in alphabetical order (the multipliers do not affect this) then add the name of the carbon chain and finally end with the functional group suffix
what defines a homologous series of compounds
all members have the same functional group and same general formula
each subsequent member differs by a CH2 unit
