Organic chemistry Definitions/Details Flashcards
Homologous series
a family of similar compounds with similar chemical properties due to the presence of the same functional group
Saturated compound
A compound that has molecules in which all carbon-carbon bonds are single bonds
Unsaturated compound
A compound that has molecules in which one or more carbon-carbon bonds are not single bonds
Functional group
an atom or group of atoms that determine the chemical properties of a homologous series
Structural isomers
Compounds with the same molecular formula, but different structural formulae
Structural formula
an ambiguous description of the way the atoms in a molecule are arranged
General formula of alkanes
CₙH₂ₙ₊₂
General formula of alkenes
CₙH₂ₙ
General formula of alcohols
CₙH₂ₙ₊₁OH
General formula of carboxylic acids
CₙH₂ₙ₊₁COOH
General characteristics of a homologous series
-Having the same functional group
-Having the same general formula
-Differing from one member to the next by a -CH₂- unit
-Displaying a trend in physical properties
-Sharing similar chemical properties
The bonding in alkanes is…
single covalent
Alkanes are…
saturated hydrocarbons
In terms of reactivity, alkanes are…
generally unreactive, except in terms of combustion and substitution by chlorine
What happens in a substitution reaction
One atom or group of atoms is replaced by another atom or group of atoms
Features of the substitution reaction of alkanes with chlorine
-A photochemical reaction(occurs as a result of light energy)
-Ultraviolet light provides the activation energy
The suffix -ane refers to…
alkanes
The suffix -ene refers to…
alkenes
The suffix -ol refers to…
alcohols
The suffix -oic acid refers to…
carboxylic acids
The prefix meth- means that…
there is 1 carbon atom
The prefix eth- means that…
there are 2 carbon atoms
The prefix prop- means that…
there are 3 carbon atoms
The prefix but- means that…
there are 4 carbon atoms
The prefix pent- means that…
there are 5 carbon atoms
The prefix hex- means that…
there are 6 carbon atoms
The bonding in alkenes includes a…
double carbon-carbon covalent bond
Alkenes are…
unsaturated hydrocarbons
In an addition reaction…
an unsaturated alkene is turned into a saturated compound(only one product is formed)
Functional group of alkenes
C=C
How alkenes are made
By cracking alkanes(using a high temperature and a catalyst)
Why alkenes are much more reactive than alkanes
The double bond in alkenes can break to add on other atoms