Organic Definitions Flashcards
Addition reaction
A reaction where a molecule joins to an unsaturated molecule to produce a saturated molecule
Aliphatic
Organic compounds containing C chains and branches
Aromatic
Organic compounds containing one or more benzene ring(s)
Carbocation
A positive ion with the positive charge on a C atom
Cyclic
Organic compounds containing C ring (not aromatic rings) also called alicyclic
Dehydration
Elimination of water
Dehydrogenation
Elimination of hydrogen
Electrophile
Lone pair acceptor
Elimination reaction
Reaction where a molecule is lost from a saturated molecule to form an unsaturated molecule
Free radical
Species with an unpaired electron
Functional group
The atom or group of atoms that that is responsible for most of the chemical reactions of a molecule
Homologous series
A family of compounds with the same general formula and similar chemical properties. In a series, each member differs by the addition of a CH2 group and there is a gradual change in physical properties
Hydration
Addition of water
Hydrocarbon
Molecule containing hydrogen and carbon only
Hydrogenation
Addition of hydrogen
Hydrolysis
A reaction involving the breaking of bonds due to reaction with water
Nucleophile
Lone pair donor
Organic chemistry
Study of compounds containing carbon
Saturated
Molecule containing no double bonds
Stereoisomers
Molecules with the same molecular and structural formulae but a different spatial arrangement of atoms
Geometric isomers
Type of stereoisomerism: molecules which have a different arrangement of groups around C=C
Optical isomers
Type of stereoisomerism: molecules which are non-superimposable mirror images
Structural isomers
Molecules with the same molecular formula but different structures
Chain isomers
Type of structural isomerism: structural isomers that differ by having a different carbon chain
Position isomers
Type of structural isomerism: structural isomers that differ by having the functional group in a different position
Functional group isomers
Type of structural isomerism: structural isomers that differ by having a different functional group
Substitution reaction
Reaction where an atom/group replaces another atom/group
Unsaturated
Molecule containing double bond(s)
