Organic Chemistry Terms

Question 1

Saturated

Answer 1

Compounds which contain only single bonds (Ex. Alkanes)

Question 2

Unsaturated

Answer 2

Compounds which contain double or triple bonds (Ex. Alkenes, arenes)

Question 3

Aliphatic

Answer 3

Compounds which do not contain a benzene ring: may be saturated or unsaturated

Question 4

Arenes

Answer 4

Compounds which contain a benzene ring: they are all unsaturated compounds (Ex. Benzene, phenol)

Question 5

Electrophile (electron-seeking)

Answer 5

An electron-deficient species which is therefore attracted to parts of molecules which are electron rich

Electrpphiles are positive ions or have partial positive charge

(Ex. NO2+, H+, Br)

Question 6

Nucleophile (nucleus-seeking)

Answer 6

An electron-rich species which is therefore attracted to parts oof molecules which are electron deficient

Nucleophiles have a lone pair of electrons and may also have a negative charge

(Ex. Cl-, OH-, NH3)

*Diagram in textbook pg 306

Question 7

Addition reaction

Answer 7

occurs when two reactants combine to form a sing;e product

Characteristic of unsaturated compounds

Ex. C2H4 + Br2 = C2H4Br2

*Diagram and proper notation in the textbook on page 306

Question 8

Substitution Reaction

Answer 8

Occurs when one atom or group of atoms in a compound is replaced by a different atom or group

Characteristic of saturated compounds and aromatic compounds

Ex. CH4 + Cl2 = CH3Cl + HCL

*Proper notation on pg 306

Question 9

Addition-elimination reaction (Condensation reaction)

Answer 9

Occurs when two reactants join together (addition) and in the process a small molecule such as H2O, HCl, or NH3 is lost (elimintation)

Reactants occurs between a functional group in each reactant

Ex. ROH + R’COOH = R’COOH +H2O

*Proper notation and a diagram in the text book on pg 307

Question 10

Homolytic Fission

Answer 10

Is when a covalent bond breaks by splitting the shared pair of electrons between the two products

Produces two free radicals, each with an unpaired electron

*Diagram on pg 307

Question 11

Heterolytic Fission

Answer 11

Is when a covalent bond breaks with both the shared electrons going to one of the products

Produces two oppositely charged ions

*Diagram on pg 307

Question 12

Homologous Series

Answer 12

The members of a homologous series are apart of the same family. The members of a homologous series share common features

Question 13

Alkanes

Answer 13

Differing by CH2 groups.

Methane, Ethane, Propane, Butane

Question 14

Empirical Formula

Answer 14

Simplest whole number ratio of the atoms in contains

Question 15

Molecular formula

Answer 15

The compound is the actual number of atoms of each element present in the molecule

Question 16

Structural Formula

Answer 16

Representation of the molecule showing how the atoms are bonded to each other

Question 17

Full structual formula

Answer 17

Show every atom and bond, angles

Question 18

Condensed structural formula

Answer 18

Often omits bonds where they can be assumed, and groups atoms together. Contains the minimum information needed to describe the atom non-ambiguously

Question 19

Stereochemical formula

Answer 19

attemps to show the realtive positions of atoms and groups around in three dimensions. The convention is that a bond sticking forwards from the page is shown as a solid, enlarging wedge, whereas a bond sticking behind the page is shown as a hashed line…

*More is the textbook on pg 312
*Diagram/table in text on pg 312

Question 20

What is the first step in naming am organic compound using the IUPAC system?

Answer 20

Identifying the longest straight chain of carbon atoms. This gives the tem of the name, (Ex. Meth-, Eth-, Prop-, But-, Pent-, Hex-…)

Question 21

What is the second step in naming am organic compound using the IUPAC system?

Answer 21

Identify the functional group

Question 22

Functional Group

Answer 22

a specific group of atoms or bonds within a compound that is responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of that compound

Question 23

What does the number infront or in the middle of a name indicate?

Answer 23

Which carbon the functional group is attached to

Question 24

What is the third step in naming am organic compound using the IUPAC system?

Answer 24

Identify the side chains

Question 25

What is the name for an alkane side group?

Answer 25

Methyl, ethyl, propyl, etc

Question 26

What is a halogenoalkane?

Answer 26

Fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo

Question 27

What is the prefix for an amine being used as a subsituent?

Answer 27

Amino-

Question 28

Structural isomers

Answer 28

Different arrangement of same atoms

(ex. C4H10 can be drawn as butane and 2-methylpropane)