Organic chemistry-basic concepts Flashcards
what are organic chemicals?
covalent molecules based on the element carbon
what is a functional group?
a part of a molecule which determines the way it reacts.
what is a homologous series?
a series of organic molecules which have the same functional group but each successive member has an additional -CH2
how is a hydrocarbon classified as unsaturated?
if the hydrocarbon has a double bond or a triple bond.
relate the first 10 prefixes according to the number of carbon atoms in the main chain in order.
meth-, eth-, prop-, but-, pent-, hex-, hept-, oct-, non-, dec-
what is the functional group for an alkene?
contains at least one carbon double bond
what is the functional group for an alkyne?
contains at least one carbon triple bond
order the first 10 alkyl group prefixes
methyl, ethyl, proply, butly, pently, hexly, heptly, octly, nonly, decly
what is the functional group for an alcohol and what is the prefix?
-OH, hydroxyl
what is the functional group for a haloalkane and what is the prefix?
-Cl (chloro), -Br (Bromo), -I (iodo)
what is the functional group for aldehyde and what is the suffix?
-CHO(double bond between C and O), -al is the suffix
what is the functional group for ketone and what is the suffix?
-C(CO)C- (double bond between C and O) and -one is the suffix
what is the functional group for a carboxylic acid and what is the suffix?
-COOH (double bond between C and O) and the suffix is -oic acid
what is molecular formula?
a formula of a compound which tells us the actual number of atoms of the elements in that compound.
what is the empirical formula?
a formula where there is the simplest whole number ratio of the atoms of each element in a compound.
describe the displayed formula?what is a disadvantage?
shows the relative position of each atom. Disadvantage: doesn’t show accurate bond angles.
describe the structural formula?
shows how atoms are arranged but doesn’t show us the bonds
describe the skeletal formula?
only covalent bonds between the atoms, bonds to any functional groups and the atoms of the functional group is shown. Carbon and hydrogen atoms aren’t shown
how is a double bond shown in a skeletal formula?
double lines
what is a general formula?
the simplest algebraic formula for a member of a homologous series.
what is the general formula for alkanes?
CnH2n+2
what is the general formula for alkenes?
CnH2n
what is a structural isomer?
molecules with the same molecular formula but different structural formula
what are stereoisomers?
molecules with the same structural formula but the atoms are arranged differently in space.
what are the two main categories of stereoisomers?
geometrical isomers and optical isomers
single covalent molecules are fully rotatable. Are double covalent bonds fully rotatable?
double covalent bonds have very restricted rotation. It can flex but not rotate.
any alkene can have cis/trans isomers as long as it meets what two conditions?
-the carbon atoms on the double bond must be attracted to two different groups
-at least one of the those groups must be the same
how do you determine weather an alkene is cis or trans?
if the atoms of the same group are on the same side it is cis, if its on opposite sides it is trans.
how do you determine whether an alkene is E or a Z isomer?
if the groups are on the same side of the molecule, it is a Z isomer. if the groups are on opposite sides, it is a E isomer.
The E/Z system has one major advantage than the cis/trans system, describe this
to use the E/Z system, the groups don’t have to be the same so we use the CIP priority rules. The elements with the greatest atomic number is given the higher priority.
what are the two ways in which covalent bonds can be broken?
homolytic fission and heterolytic fission
what is the definition of a free radical?
a reactive species(atoms or groups) which possess an unpaired electron
what is homolytic fission?
when each of the bonded atoms take one of the shared pair of electrons when a covalent bond is broken producing two free radicals.
what is heterolytic fission?
when one of the bonded atoms take both of the electrons when a covalent bond is broken. The atom that takes both electrons becomes a negative ion and the atom that doesn’t take any electrons becomes a positive ion.
what is an addition reaction?
when two reactants join to form one product
what is a substitution reaction?
an atom or a group is replaced
what is an elimination reaction?
reaction that involves the removal of a small molecule from a larger one. One reactant molecule forms two products
what is the functional group, prefix and suffix for an alcohol?
functional group: -OH
prefix: hydroxyl-
suffix: -ol
link the alkyl group to the molecular formula
methyl- CH3
ethyl- C2H5
propyl- C3H7 ….
what is the prefix used for a alicyclic alkane?
cyclo-
what is the functional group and suffix for an aldehyde?
functional group: -CHO (double bond O to carbon and hydrogen to carbon)
suffix: -al
what is the functional group and suffix for ketone?
functional group: -C(CO)C- (double bond O to C)
suffix: -one
what is the functional group and suffix for an ester?
functional group: -COOH- (C double bond to O and bonded to OH)
suffix: -oate
what is the functional group, suffix and prefix for amine?
functional group: -NH2
prefix: amino-
suffix: -amine
what is the functional group and suffix for nitrile?
functional group: -CN
suffix: -nitrile
what does a curly arrow represent?
movement of a pair of electrons
