Organic Chemistry Flashcards
chiral
an atom in a molecule that allows it to exist as non-superimposable forms. it can also refer to the molecule itself
asymmetric
a carbon atom in a molecule that is joined to four different atoms or groups
enantiomers
isomers that are related as object and mirror image
optical activity
when a substance rotates the plane of polarisation of plane-polarised light
unpolarised light
has oscillations in all planes at right angles to the direction of travel
polarimeter
the apparatus used to measure the angle of rotation caused by a substance
polariser
a material that converts unpolarised light into plane-polarised light
analyser
a material that allows plane-polarised light to pass through it
racemic mixture
an equimolar mixture of two enantiomers that has no optical activity
bimolecular mechanism
has two species reacting in the rate determining step
unimolecular mechanism
has one species reacting in the rate determining step
nucleophilic addition
a type of mechanism in which a molecule containing two atoms or groups is added across a polar double bond (usually C=O). The attacking species in the first step is the nucleophile
Derivatives
compounds formed from other compounds, especially when the properties of the derivatives can be used to identify the original compound.
hydrolysis
the breaking of a compound by water into two compounds.
condensation polymerisation
the formation of a polymer, usually by reaction of two monomers, and in which a small molecule is formed.
aromatic
description of the bonding in a compound - delocalised electrons forming pi bonding in a hydrocarbon ring
Halogen carrier
a catalyst that helps to introduce a halogen atom into a benzene ring
basicity
the extent to which a base can donate a lone pair of electrons to the hydrogen atom of a water molecule
addition elimination
occurs when two molecules join together, followed by the loss of a small molecules
isoelectric point
the pH of an amino acid in a neutral aqueous solution
zwitterion
a molecule containing positive and negative charges but which has no overall charge
pepide bond
the bond formed by a condensation reaction between the carbonyl group of one amino acid and the amino group of another amino acid.
stationary phase
in paper chromatography, this is the liquid or solid tat does not move
mobile phase
in paper chromatography, this is the liquid tat moves through the stationary phase and transports the components
