Introduction to Organic Chemistry

Question 1

What is a functional group?

Answer 1

• A group of atoms that is responsible for the characteristic reactions of a compound
• Saturated and unsaturated used to indicate the presence of multiple carbon-carbon bonds as distinct from the wider term ‘degree of saturation’ used also for any multiple bonds and cyclic compounds

Question 2

What is the general formula?

Answer 2

The simplest algebraic formula of a member of a homologous series

Question 3

What is the structural formula?

Answer 3

The minimal detail that shows the arrangement of atoms in a molecule

Question 4

What is the displayed formula?

Answer 4

The relative positioning of atoms and the bonds between them

Question 5

What is the skeletal formula?

Answer 5

The simplified organic formula, shown by removing hydrogen atoms form alkyl chains, leaving just a carbon skeleton and associated functional groups

Question 6

What is a homologous series? know definition!

Answer 6

A homologous series is a family of compounds with the same functional group and similar chemical properties and whose success is members differ by the addition of a -CH2- group

Question 7

What is the general formula of an alkyl group? What is the general formulae of an alcohol?

Answer 7

CnH2n+1

- CnH2n+1OH

Question 8

What is an aliphatic compound?

Answer 8

A compounds containing carbon and hydrogen joined together in straight chains, branched chains or non-aromatic rings

Question 9

What is an alicyclic compound?

Answer 9

• An aliphatic compound arranged in non-aromatic rings with or without side chains
• Carbon atoms are joined to each other in a ring (cyclic) structure, with or without branches

Question 10

What is an aromatic compound?

Answer 10

A compound containing a benzene ring

Question 11

What does saturated and unsaturated mean?

Answer 11

1. Saturated: single carbon-carbon bonds only

2. Unsaturated: the presence of multiple carbon-carbon bonds, including a C=C and CtriplelineC and aromatic rings

Question 12

What are structural isomers?

Answer 12

Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulae

Question 13

What are the different types of structural isomerism?

Answer 13

1. Carbon chain: taking carbon chain and making branches
2. Positional: moving the functional group
3. Functional group: completely changing the identity of the functional group

Question 14

What is homolytic fission? (type of covalent bond fission) what is an example?

Answer 14

In terms of each bonding atoms receiving one electron from the bonded pair, forming two radicals

• A Covent bond breaks with each bonded atoms takes one of the shared paired of electrons from the bond
• E.G H3C-CH3 —> H3C• + •CH3

Question 15

What is heterolytic fission? (type of covalent bond fission)

Answer 15

In terms of one bonding atom receiving both electrons from the bonded pair

• A covalent bond breaks with one of the bonded atoms taking both of the electrons from the bond
• EG. H3C-Cl —> H3C+ + Cl-

Question 16

What does radical mean? How is it shown?

Answer 16

• A species with an unpaired electron
• An atom or groups of atoms with an impaired electron e.g. Cl•
• Dots represent species that are radicals in mechanisms
• Dots are not required for species that are diradicls e.g. O)

Question 17

What does the curly arrow in a reaction mechanism show?

Answer 17

• It describes the moment of an electron pair, showing either heterolytic fission or formation of a covalent bond
• Full head then electron pair
• Half curly arrows one electron moves

Question 18

What must you show in reaction mechanisms?

Answer 18

• Curly arrows

- Relevant dipoles

Question 19

What Is reformation?

Answer 19

The process of taking a straight chain hydrocarbon and reforming it with branches to deliberately alter its boiling point or combustibility

Question 20

Which alkanes are gases?

Answer 20

Up to pentane (hexane is a liquid)

Question 21

What does saturated mean?

Answer 21

Contains maximum number of carbon hydrogen or carbon carbon bonds, single bonds only

Question 22

What is the empirical formula?

Answer 22

It is the simplest whole number ratio of the atoms of each element present in a compound

Question 23

What is an electrophile? What is an example?

Answer 23

• A electron pair acceptor

- Br2

Question 24

What is a nucleophile?

Answer 24

An electron pair donor

OH-