Properties of Organic Compounds Flashcards
What is the difference between an organic and inorganic compound?
organic compounds always have a carbon atom, inorganic compounds do not contain a carbon atom
What are the properties of an inorganic compound?
most have ionic bonds, higher melt and boil points, conduct electricity, water soluble, not flammable, react quickly
What are the properties of an organic compound?
covalent bonds, lower melt and boil points, do not conduct electricity, water insoluble, flammable, slower reactions
What is meant by a hydrocarbon compound?
a compound that only contains hydrogen and carbon atoms
What is an alkane?
all single bonds
What is an alkene?
one or more double bonds
What is an alkyne?
one or more triple bonds
What is the difference between saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons?
saturated hydrocarbons only contain single covalent bonds (alkanes), unsaturated hydrocarbons contain one or more double or triple bonds (alkenes, alkynes)
What are properties of alcohols?
polar (water molecules attracted), high boiling points, colorless, flammable
What are properties of carboxylic acids?
liquids or solids at room temp, solid at 10 or more carbons (“fatty acids”), high melting and boiling points, salts are water soluble, weak acids
What are properties of esters?
pleasant odors, polar, low melting points, formed from organic acids
What are properties of ethers?
polar, water soluble, flammable, inert (no reactions), used to be used as an anesthetic
What are properties of ketones?
highly reactive, make good solvents
What are properties of aldehydes?
polar, water soluble, pleasant odors
What are properties of amines?
fishy odors, colorless but turn yellow upon storage, small (about 4 carbons are water soluble), forms salts w/ acids, significant role in survival of life, part of proteins
What are properties of amides?
neutral, most are solids, derivatives or carboxylic acids, part of proteins
How are amines and amides involved in death?
when an organism dies, proteins break down into compounds containing aminos
What is an isomer?
compounds that contain the same exact number of atoms but have different molecular structures
What are properties of hydrocarbons?
nonpolar (are not water soluble)
less dense than water (would float on top)
weak dispersion forces (1-4 carbons: gas @ room temp, 5-15 carbons: liquid @ room temp)
flammable and make good fuels
What is a substituted hydrocarbon?
has one or more hydrogen atoms replaced by other atoms (ex. NO2, NH2, halogens)
What is a functional group?
atoms or groups of atoms which react (ketone, alcohol, etc.)
What is a use of alcohol?
drinking alcohols, fuel, sweeteners
What is a use of carboxylic acid?
vinegar, solvents, food additives
What is a use of esters?
cooking oil, perfumes, cosmetics
What is a use of ethers?
solvent for fats and waxes, oils, dyes
What is a use of ketones?
nail polish remover
What is a use of aldehydes?
formaldehyde perservative
What is a use of amines?
water purification, amino acids
What is a use of amides?
proteins
What is a use of alkenes?
ethylene fruit-ripener
What is a use of alkynes?
acetylene torch
What is a use of alkanes?
natural gasses
What is a monomer?
atoms/molecules that bond together to form polymers (glucose, amino acids, ethylene)
What is a polymer?
natural/synthetic substances composed of large molecules
What is a use of polymers?
synthetic fibers, fiberglass, plastic
