Intro to Organic chemistry Flashcards
Chain isomer
Isomers that occur due to the branching in the carbon chain
Displayed formula
A type of structural isomer that shows all the bonds between every atom in the compound
Empirical formula
The smallest whole number ratio of atoms of each element in a compound
E.g. CH2 is the empirical formula of C2H4
E-Z isomerism
A type of stereoisomerism that occurs die to the restricted rotation around the carbon double bond. This results in two different groups on one end of the bond and two different groups on the other end.
If the highest priority groups for each carbon are found on the same size of the molecule, then it is the Z-isomer.
If the highest priority groups for each carbon are found on opposite sides of the molecule, then it is the E-isomer
Free radical
An uncharged molecule or atom with an unpaired valence electron
Functional group
The group of atoms responsible for the characteristic reactions of a particular compound
Functional group isomers
Isomers that contain different functional groups. This means they belong to different homologous series
General formula
A type of empirical formula that represents the composition of any member of an entire class of compounds. For example, alkanes all have the general formula CnH2n+2
Homologous series
A series of compounds with the same functional group and similar chemical properties. For example, all alkanes belong to the same homologous series
Molecular formula
Total number of atoms of each element in a compound
Position isomer
Isomers where the carbon backbone of the isomers are the same but the important groups are at different positions on the backbone
Skeletal formula
A diagram representation of an organic compound in which lines represent bonds between atoms and atoms are represented by their symbol. Hydrogens are assumed to be at the end of the line if no other atomic symbol is present
Stereoisomerism
Occurs when two double bonded carbon atoms each have two different atoms or groups attached to them. Includes E/Z isomerism. This is a consequence of a restricted rotation around the C=C double bond
Structural formula
A formula which shows the arrangement of atoms in the molecule of a compound but does not show all the bonds between them
For example: CH3CH2COCH3
Structural isomerism
Structural isomers are compounds which have the same molecular formula but a different structural formula
