Definitions - Chains, Energy & Resources Flashcards
Alicyclic
A hydrocarbon with carbon atoms joined together in a ring structure.
Aliphatic
A hydrocarbon with carbon atoms joined together in straight or branched chains.
Alkane
The homologous series with the general formula CnH2n+2
Alkyl group
An alkane with a H atom removed, e.g. CH3, C2H5, C3H7; alkyl groups are often showed as “R”.
Displayed Formula
A formula showing the relative positioning of all the atoms in a molecule and the bonds between them.
Empirical formula
The simplest whole number ratio of atoms of each element present in a compound.
Functional group
The part of the organic molecule responsible for its chemical reactions.
General formula
The simplest algebraic formula of a member of a homologous series (e.g. CnH2n+2 for alkanes)
Homologous series
A series of organic compounds with the same functional group, but with each successive member differing by a CH2.
Hydrocarbon
An organic compound of hydrogen and carbon only.
Saturated
A hydrocarbon with single C-C bonds only.
Skeletal formula
A simplified organic formula, with H atoms removed from alkyl chains, leaving just a carbon skeleton and associated functional groups.
Structural formula
A formula showing minimal detail for the arrangement of atoms in a molecule
Structural isomerism
Molecules with the same molecular formula but with different structural arrangements of atoms.
Unsaturated
Hydrocarbon containing C=C multiple bonds.
Alkene
The homologous series with the general formula CnH2n
Addition Polymerisation
The process in which unsaturated alkene molecules add on to a growing polymer chain one at a time to form a very long saturated molecular chain (the addition polymer).
Addition reaction
A reaction in which a reactant is added to an unsaturated molecule to make it a saturated molecule.
Atom economy
(Mr of desired product/Sum of Mr’s of all products)*100
Cis-trans isomeriem
A special type of E/Z isomerism in which there is a non-hydrogen group and a hydrogen attached to each carbon of a C=C double bond.
E/Z Isomerism
A type of stereoisomerism in which different groups attached to each carbon of a C=C double bond may be arranged differently in space because of the restricted rotation of the C=C double bond.
Electrophile
A species capable of accepting a pair of electrons.
Monomer
A small molecule that combines with many other monomers to form a polymer.
Percentage yield
(actual amount, in mol, of product/theoretical amount, in mol, of product)*100%
Pi-bond
The reactive part of a double bond formed above and below the plane of the bonded atoms by sideways overlap of p-orbitals.
Polymer
A long molecular chain built up from monomer units.
Repeat unit
A specific arrangement of atoms that occurs in the structure over and over again. Repeat units are included in brackets, outside which is the symbol n.
Stereoisomerism
Compounds with the same structural formula but with a different arrangement of atoms in space.
Radical
Species with an unpaired electron.
Substitution reaction
A reaction in which an atom or group of atoms is replaced with a different atom or group of atoms.
Nucleophile
A species capable of donating a pair of electrons.
Homolytic fission
The breaking of a covalent bond, with one of the bonded electrons going to each atom, forming two radicals.
Heterolytic fission
The breaking of a covalent bond, with both of the bonded electrons going to one atom, forming a cation and an anion.
