organic chem vocab

Question 1

structural formula

Answer 1

the formula that shows how many, and the symbols of, atoms bonded to each carbon atom in an organic molecule

Question 2

displayed formula

Answer 2

2D representation of an organic molecule by showing all of its atoms and their bonds

Question 3

skeletal formula

Answer 3

a simplified displayed formula with all C and H atoms and C-H bonds removed

Question 4

homologous series

Answer 4

a group of organic compounds having the same functional group, the same general formula and similar chemical properties

Question 5

functional group

Answer 5

an atom or group of atoms in an organic molecule which determines the characteristic chemical reactions

Question 6

general formula

Answer 6

a formula that represents a homologous series of compounds using letters and numbers (CnH2n+2)

Question 7

alphabetic compounds

Answer 7

straight-chain or branched-chain organic compounds that do not contain benzene rings

Question 8

single covalent bond

Answer 8

a bond made up of a pair of electrons shared between two atoms

Question 9

sigma bond

Answer 9

a single covalent bond formed by the ‘end-on’ overlap of atomic orbitals

Question 10

pi bond

Answer 10

a covalent bond formed by ‘sideways’ overlap of p and p or p and d atomic orbitals

Question 11

structural isomers

Answer 11

compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formula

Question 12

stereoisomers

Answer 12

compounds whose molecules have. the same way, but with a different arrangement of atoms in space

Question 13

enantiomers

Answer 13

pair of optically active molecules whose mirror images cannot be superimposed

Question 14

chiral center

Answer 14

a carbon atom with four different atoms attached to it. it allows optical isomers to exist

Question 15

reaction mechanism

Answer 15

the series of steps that take place in the course of an overall reaction

Question 16

free radical reaction

Answer 16

a three step reaction that takes place with the pro suction of reactive atoms or molecules with an unpaired electron. The second step regenerates free radicals. Then the reaction finishes with two free radicals meeting to form a molecule

Question 17

carbocation

Answer 17

an alkyl group with a single positive charge on one of its carbon atoms

Question 18

inductive effect

Answer 18

the uneven sharing of electrons along a covalent bond. electron donating species, such as an alkyl group, are said to have a positive inductive effect, whereas electron-withdrawing species, such as an oxygen atom, have a negative inductive effect

Question 19

electrophile

Answer 19

electron pair acceptor

Question 20

nucleophile

Answer 20

electron donor

Question 21

addition reactions

Answer 21

two or more molecules combine to make a single product molecule

Question 22

elimination reaction

Answer 22

removal of a smaller molecule from a larger organic molecule

Question 23

condensation reaction

Answer 23

a reaction in which two organic molecules join together and, in the process, eliminate a small molecule, such as water or hydrogen chloride

Question 24

substitution reaction

Answer 24

a reaction that involves the replacementof one atom, or group of atoms, by another

Question 25

free-radical substitution

Answer 25

the reaction in which halogen atoms substitute for hydrogen atoms in alkanes. the mechanism involves steps in which reactive free radicals are produced, regenerated, and consumed.

Question 26

oxidation reaction

Answer 26

addition of oxygen, removal of electrons or increase in oxidation number, hydrogen atoms removed from a molecule

Question 27

reduction reaction

Answer 27

addition of hydrogen, addition of electrons or decrease in oxidation number. oxygen atoms removed from a molecule