Organic Chemistry Flashcards
What is a hydrocarbon?
Molecule that only contains the elements carbon and hydrogen
What is the simplest type of hydrocarbon?
Alkanes
Why is carbon a useful element for making large compounds?
Carbon can form four strong bonds with other atoms, including carbon and hydrogen
Give an example of a hydrocarbon and a non-hydrocarbon
Hydrocarbon - Butane (C4H10)
Non-Hydrocarbon - butanol (C4H9OH): Contains Oxygen
What is organic chemistry?
The study of compounds that contain carbon
What is the general formula for alkanes?
CnH2n+2
List the first four alkanes and their molecular formulas
- Methane: CH4
- Ethane: C2H6
- Propane: C3H8
- Butane: C4H10
Why are Alkanes Saturated?
Every carbon atom has four single covalent bonds
What is the definition of a homologous series?
A homologous series is a group of organic compounds that have similar chemical properties, due to them having the same functional group
What is the general formula for alkanes?
CnH2n+2
What happens to an alkane if one of its single bonds is replaced by a double bond?
It becomes an alkene
Why is methane classified as an alkane?
Has a single carbon atom bonded to 4 hydrogens
Explain why butanol is not classified as a hydrocarbon?
Contains an oxygen atom in addition to carbon and hydrogen
Describe the difference between saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons
- Saturated Hydrocarbons - Have single bonds only
- Unsaturated Hydrocarbons - have at least 1 double bond
How does the molecular formula of an alkane change as the series progresses?
A hydrocarbon is a compound formed from only carbon and hydrogen atoms
