Definitions Flashcards
Organic Molecules
Molecules containing carbon atoms with the exception of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, diamond, graphite, carbonates (or bicarbonates), carbides and cyanides
Hydrocarbons
Compounds that contain carbon and hydrogen atoms only
A homologous series
A series of similar compounds which have the same functional group and have the same general formula in which each member differs from the previous one by a single CH2 unit
Alkanes
Contain only single bonds and have the general formula
CnH2n + 2
Alkenes
Contain at least one double bond between two carbon atoms in the chain and have the general formula
CnH2n
Alkynes
Contain at least one triple bond between two carbon atoms in the chain and have the general formula
CnH2n -2
Molecular Formula
A chemical formula which shows how many atoms of each element there are within the molecule
Structural formula
A diagram which shows exactly where each atom within the molecule is found
Hydrogen bonding forces
Strong intermolecular forces. Found between NH3, H2O and HF
molecules. Also found between molecules of alcohols and molecules
of carboxylic acids in organic chemistry
Van der Waals forces
Weak intermolecular forces. In Organic chemistry the Weakest type = London forces (dispersion forces) and the stronger type = dipole-dipole forces.
Structural isomers
Compounds with the same molecular formula, but different structural formulae.
Condensed structural formula
Shows how many hydrogen atoms, and or other atoms, are
connected to each carbon atom
Catenation
The ability of carbon to bond with itself
A saturated compound
A compound in which all of the bonds between carbon atoms are single bonds
An unsaturated compound
A compound in which there is at least one double and/or triple bond between carbon atoms
