Organic Chemistry Terms

Question 1

Addition reaction

Answer 1

A type of reaction in which atoms, or groups of atoms, are added to a molecule.

Question 2

Alcohol

Answer 2

An organic compound in which the hydroxyl functional group (-OH) is bonded to a carbon atom.

Question 3

Alkane

Answer 3

An homologous series characterised by having single covalent bonds between carbon atoms.

Question 4

Alkene

Answer 4

A hydrocarbon molecule having one or more double covalent bonds between carbon atoms.

Question 5

Alkylammonium ion

Answer 5

The positively charged ion formed when an amine binds the hydrogen ion (H+) released from an acid.

Question 6

Alkyne

Answer 6

A hydrocarbon molecule having one or more triple covalent bonds between carbon atoms.

Question 7

Carboxylic acid

Answer 7

An organic molecule that has the -COOH functional group.

Question 8

Cracking

Answer 8

A chemical process in which longer hydrocarbon molecules are broken down (cracked) into smaller molecules.

Question 9

Cracking

Answer 9

A chemical process in which longer hydrocarbon molecules are broken down (cracked) into smaller molecules.

Question 10

Diol

Answer 10

An organic compound in which two hydroxyl functional groups are bonded to carbon atoms.

Question 11

Elimination reaction

Answer 11

A type of reaction in which atoms, or groups of atoms, are removed (eliminated) from a molecule.

Question 12

Functional group

Answer 12

A group of atoms or type of bond responsible for the characteristic properties of a compound.

Question 13

Geometric isomer

Answer 13

Isomers of an alkene where atoms or groups of atoms are attached in different spatial arrangements on either side of a double bond.

Question 14

Haloalkane

Answer 14

An homologous series characterised by having single covalent bonds between carbon atoms and one or more halogen atoms bonded to a carbon atom.

Question 15

Halogenation

Answer 15

The process of adding halogen atoms to a molecule.

Question 16

Homologous series

Answer 16

A series of organic compounds with a similar general formula, possessing similar chemical properties and having the same functional group.

Question 17

Hydrocarbon

Answer 17

A compound that contains only carbon and hydrogen atoms.

Question 18

Markovnikov’s rule

Answer 18

Often simplified to “the rich get richer”. When a hydrogen atom has two carbon atoms available to bond to, it will bond more often to the carbon with the most hydrogen atoms aready bonded to it.

Question 19

Monomer

Answer 19

The term for the smaller molecules from which polymers are made.

Question 20

Neutralisation reaction

Answer 20

A chemical reaction between an acid and any of a range of substances that accept protons from the acid.

Question 21

Polymer

Answer 21

A long molecule made by linking many smaller molecules together in a repeating pattern.

Question 22

Primary amine

Answer 22

An amine with only one organic branch from the nitrogen atom. Two hydrogen atoms will also be bonded to the nitrogen atom.

Question 23

Reaction scheme

Answer 23

A graphical representation of the reactants and products in a chemical reaction.
Generally, structural formulae are used.

Question 24

Saturated hydrocarbon

Answer 24

A hydrocarbon molecule containing only single covalent bonds. No further atoms can be added to the compound.

Question 25

Structural isomer

Answer 25

Molecules having the same molecular formula but with atoms bonded in different positions

Question 26

Substitution reaction

Answer 26

A type of reaction in which atoms are removed from a molecule and replaced with another type of atom.

Question 27

Unsaturated hydrocarbon

Answer 27

A hydrocarbon molecule containing double or triple covalent bonds. Further atoms can be added to the compound at the site of the multiple bond.