Organic Chemistry Definitions Flashcards
Carbocation
A very reactive species, typically an intermediate, with a positive carbon atom
Addition reaction
A molecule is added across a double bond resulting in a saturated product
Electrophile
An electron deficient species that can accept a lone pair of electrons
Elimination reaction
A reaction in which the double bond is formed as a small molecule is lost from a saturated compound
Free radical
A very reactive species with an unpaired electron
Functional group
The atom or group of atoms responsible for the chemical properties of an organic compound
Homologous series
A group of compounds that have the same functional group and similar chemical properties and that show a gradation in physical properties
Hydrogenation
A reaction in which hydrogen is added to a compound
Hydrolysis
A reaction with water which involves the breaking of a O-H bond in water
Lone pair
A pair of electrons in the outer occupied energy level not involved in bonding
Nucleophile
A species that can donate a lone pair of electrons to an electron deficient carbon atom to form an active covalent bond
reflux
a method of prolonged heating without loss by evaporation
species
a general term used to denote an atom, ion or molecule
structural formula
a formula which shows how the atoms are arranged in a molecule
reaction mechanism
the individual steps by which a reaction occurs
isomers
substances with the same molecular formula but with different properties
structural isomers
molecules with the same molecular formula but with different arrangements of the atom e.. different structural formula
examples of structural formulas
functional groups isomers, chain isomers, position isomers, geometrical isomers
functional group isomers
isomers that contain different functional groups
chain isomers
isomers in which the carbon atoms in the chain are arranged in different patterns
position isomers
isomers in which the functional group is attached to different carbon atoms
stereoisomers
molecules with the same molecular and structural formula but a different spatial arrangements of atoms
