Introduction to organic chemistry

Question 1

General formula

Answer 1

is an algebraic formula that can be applied to chemicals in the ‘family’

Question 2

Molecular formula

Answer 2

the actual number of atoms in a molecule or element

Question 3

Empirical formula

Answer 3

the simplest whole number ratio of atoms in a compound

Question 4

Structural formula

Answer 4

the arrangement of atoms in a molecule without showing all the bonds

Question 5

Skeletal formula

Answer 5

shows the bonds of the carbon skeleton only.
hydrogen and carbon atoms not shown but functional groups are

Question 6

Displayed formula

Answer 6

shows the arrangement of atoms showing all the bonds and atoms in the molecule

Question 7

Homologous series

Answer 7

a group of compounds have the same functional group and general formula

Question 8

Homologous series

Answer 8

alkanes - ane
alkanes (branched) - alkyl
alkenes - ene
alcohols - ol
aldehydes - al
ketones - one
carboxylic acids - oic acid
halogenoalkanes - fluoro / chloro / bromo / iodo
cycloalkanes - cyclo - ane

Question 9

how are the molecules named?

Answer 9

IUPAC

Question 10

Polymerisation

Answer 10

joining smaller monomers together to form a very long chain

Question 11

Elimination

Answer 11

some atoms break away from a larger molecule

Question 12

Hydrolysis

Answer 12

splitting a molecule into 2 using OH- or H + from a H20 molecule

Question 13

Addition

Answer 13

joining molecules together to form longer ones

Question 14

Substitution

Answer 14

replacing one atom with another on a molecule

Question 15

Reduction

Answer 15

when a species gains electrons in a reaction

Question 16

Oxidation

Answer 16

when a species loses electrons in a reaction

Question 17

Structural isomers

Answer 17

compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulae

Question 18

what are the three types of structural isomers?

Answer 18

chain isomers, position isomers and functional group

Question 19

Chain isomers

Answer 19

same molecular formula but different arrangement of the carbon skeleton

Question 20

Positional isomers

Answer 20

same molecular formula but different position of the functional group on the carbon skeleton

Question 21

Functional group

Answer 21

same molecular formula but different functional group

Question 22

Stereoisomers

Answer 22

molecules with the same molecular + structural formula but a different spatial arrangement of bonds

Question 23

Give an example of a stereoisomer.

Answer 23

E/Z isomerism

Question 24

E/Z isomerism

Answer 24

• the C=C bond and the atoms bonded directly to this are flat (planar)
• the shape of the C=CH2 is trigonal planar with an angle of 120
• atoms cannot rotate around the C=C bond and is rigid

Question 25

What are the two types of isomers?

Answer 25

E-isomer and Z-isomer

Question 26

E- isomer

Answer 26

entgagen - opposite - the same groups opposite the double bond

Question 27

Z-isomer

Answer 27

zusammen - together - same groups on the same side of the double bond

Question 28

Cis- isomer

Answer 28

when the groups are on the same side

Question 29

Trans- isomer

Answer 29

when they are different groups

Question 30

Cahn-Ingold-Prelog (CIP)

Answer 30

1. label carbons with double bond as ‘carbon 1’ and ‘carbon 2’
2. Calculate the atomic number of the first element directly bonded to the C=C. The atoms with the highest atomic number is given a higher priority