Organic chemistry and nomenclature Flashcards

Intro, molecular orbital theory, homologous series, alkanes, isomerism, alkenes, alkynes.

1
Q

What is organic chemistry?

A

Chemistry of compounds containing carbon.

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2
Q

Carbon can bind strongly to other elements and with itself form strong…

A

bonds.

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3
Q

The combination of properties of carbon allows it to form a vast range of possible structures.
Carbon possesses the rare tendency to catenate.
What does catenate mean?

A

Form chains of carbon atoms.

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4
Q

Knowing about carbon’s electronic properties allows an understanding of the formation of…

A

organic molecules.

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5
Q

Give the relative atomic mass, atomic number and electron configuration of carbon.

A

Atomic mass = 12.011g/mol

Atomic number = 6

Electron configuration = 1s2 2s2 2p2

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6
Q

How many extra electrons does carbon require to fill the octet rule?

A

4

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7
Q

In covalent bonding each carbon atom only ever forms…

A

4 bonds.

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8
Q

What are Lewis structures?

A

Dot and cross diagrams = simplest and most limited theory on electronic structure.

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9
Q

What is atomic orbital theory?

A

Explains how bonds form, how electrons are shared between atoms and the geometry of molecules.

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10
Q

Atomic orbitals combine to form…

A

molecular orbitals.

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11
Q

A pair of electrons that form a single sigma bond occupy sigma molecular orbitals.
What is a single sigma bond?
What is a sigma molecular orbital?

A

Sigma bond = a covalent bond formed by the overlap of atomic orbitals.

Sigma molecular orbital = shared electron density in between bonded atoms.

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12
Q

Why are single covalent bonds also called sigma bonds?

A

Because the head on overlap of atomic orbitals form molecular sigma orbitals.

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13
Q

For example, the 4 covalent bonds in methane are made by the overlap of atomic orbitals on…

A

the C and H atoms.

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14
Q

What is a homologous series?

A

A family of chemicals containing the same functional group that have similar chemical properties and each successive member differs by one carbon atom.

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15
Q

What are alkanes?

A

Saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons with the general formula CnH2n+2.

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16
Q

What does hydrocarbon mean?

A

Compounds contain only hydrogen and carbon.

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17
Q

What does aliphatic mean?

A

Organic compounds in which carbon atoms form open chains.

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18
Q

What is the geometry and bond angle for each carbon in an alkane?

A

Tetrahedral and 109.5 degrees.

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19
Q

Why are alkanes non-polar?

A

C and H have similar electronegativities.

20
Q

Alkanes are hydro…

A

phobic.

21
Q

What are the intermolecular interactions in alkanes?

A

Dispersion forces = Van der waals

22
Q

What is the fractional distillation of crude oil?

A

Separating a mixture of hydrocarbons (mainly alkanes) depending on their boiling points.

23
Q

Explain why as the chain length of an alkane increases, the boiling point also increases.

A

As chain length increases, there are more points of contact between molecules, therefore more van der waals forces.

24
Q

Give the alkyl prefixes for the first 10 alkanes.

A

methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl.

25
Q

Then for 12 and 16 carbon atoms.

A

dodecyl, hexadecyl.

26
Q

List 4 different ways to display molecules.

A

Molecular, structural, displayed and skeletal formula.

27
Q

Alkanes are constantly rotating and moving in solution.
So how are they named?

A
  1. Determine the number of carbons in the
    longest chain.
  2. Number the chain so the side chain
    (substituent) gets the lowest possible
    number.
  3. Deduce the number of C atoms in
    (substituent) side chain.
  4. Combine.
28
Q

What are structural isomers?

e.g. heptane has 9 structural isomers.

A

Molecules with the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements.

29
Q

What are cycloalkanes?

A

Cyclic saturated hydrocarbons with the general formula CnH2n+2.

Carbons of the molecules are arranged in the form of a ring. All carbon atoms in the ring are single bonded to other carbon atoms.

30
Q

What are alkenes?

A

Unsaturated hydrocarbons with the general formula CnH2n.
Functional group = (one or more) carbon to carbon double bonds.

31
Q

What geometry and bond angle do carbons involved in the double bond have?

A

A trigonal planar geometry with bond angles of 120 degrees.

32
Q

How are molecular pi orbitals formed?

A

By the side on overlap of atomic orbitals.

33
Q

What bonds does a carbon to carbon double bond consist of?

A

A sigma bond (head on overlap of atomic orbitals) and a pi bond (side on overlap of atomic orbitals)

2 electrons occupy sigma orbitals and 2 occupy pi orbitals.

34
Q

Why are alkenes more reactive than their equivalent alkanes?

A

The pi bond is weaker than a single sigma bond.

35
Q

Why is ethene specifically important in everyday life?

A

Ethene is a plant hormone used commercially for the ripening of fruit.

The shape of ethene is vital for this function as ethane doesn’t fit the receptor so doesn’t ripen fruit.

36
Q

In alkanes, there is free rotation about the…

A

carbon to carbon single bond.

37
Q

In alkenes, there is no rotation about the…

A

carbon to carbon double bond.

38
Q

What isomerism do alkenes exhibit, why?

A

Stereoisomerism (geometric isomerism)- restricted rotation about carbon to carbon double bond means a fixed planar structure.

39
Q

What are stereoisomers?

A

Molecules with the same molecular and structural formula but a different arrangement of atoms in space.

40
Q

What is a cis/Z isomer?

A

Substituents are on the same side of the carbon to carbon double bond.

41
Q

What is a trans/E isomer?

A

Substituents are on opposite sides of the carbon to carbon double bond.

42
Q

What properties are different in geometric isomers?

A

physical

43
Q

Rhodopsin needs to convert to trans-rhodopsin under light (a key process in human vision).

How do cis and trans isomers interconvert?

A

The double bond (pi bond) must break.

44
Q

What are alkynes?

A

Unsaturated hydrocarbons with a functional group of (one or more) carbon to carbon triple bonds and a general formula CnH2n-2.

45
Q

What geometry and bond angle do triple bond carbon atoms have?

A

Linear geometry and bond angle 180 degrees.

46
Q

What does a carbon to carbon triple bond consist of?

A

A sigma bond (2 electrons occupy sigma orbitals) and two pi bonds (4 electrons occupy pi orbitals).

47
Q

Why are alkynes more reactive than equivalent alkenes and alkanes ?

A

The second pi bond is weaker than the first pi bond.

Also, the triple bond has higher electron density (than single and double bonds).