Key Words Flashcards
Define homologus series
A series of organic compounds with the same functional group but with each succesive member differing by CH²
What is a hydrocarbon
A compound of hydrogen and carbon atoms only
What does saturated mean
Containing single bonds only.
Define Mono-unsaturated
An organic compound that is saturated except for one multiple bond.
Define unsaturated
Containing a multiple carbon-carbon bond
Define molecular formula
A formula that shows the number and the type of atoms in each element present in a molecule
Define emperical formula
The formula that shows the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms of each element present in a molecule.
Define structural formula
A formula showing the minimal detail for the arrangement of atoms in a molecule.
Define structural isomerism
Molecules with the same molecular formula but with different structural formulae.
Define Stereoisomerism
Compound with the same structural formula but with a different arrangement of the atoms in space.
Define E/Z isomerism
A type of stereoisomerism in which different groups attached to each carbon of a c=c double bond may also be arranged differently in space because of the restricted rotation of the c=c bond.
Define Displayed formula
A formula showing the relative positioning of all the atoms in a molecule and the bonds between them.
Define skeletal formula
A simplified organic formula with hydrogen atoms removed from alkyl chains, leaving just a carbon skeleton and associated functional group
Define Heterolytic fission
The breaking of a covalent bond forming a cation and an anion
Define Homolytic fission
The breaking of a covalent bond with one of the bonded electrons going to break each atom, forming two radicals.
Define Free radical
An atom, molecule, or ion that has at least one unpaired valence (outer) electron.
Define electronegativity
A measure of the attraction of a bonded atom for the pair of electrons in a covalent bond.
Define a polar bond.
A type of covalent bond between two or more atoms that share electrons unequally.
Define polar molecule.
A molecule with an overall diapole, having taken into account any diapoles across bonda and the shape of the molecules.
Define Carbocation
An ion that conatians a positively charged carbon atom.
Define electrophile
An atom which is attracted to an electron-rich centre atom, where it accepts a pair of electrons to form a new covalent bond.
Define nucleophile
An atom which is attracted to an electron-deficient centre or atom, where it donates a pair of electrons to form a new covalent bond.
Define addition
A reaction in which two reactants join together to form one product.
Define substitution
A reaction in which an atom or group of atoms is replaced with a different atom or group of atoms
