RPA definitions Flashcards
Addition reaction
Reactant is added to an unsaturated molecule to make a saturated molecule
Substitution reaction
An atom or group of atoms is replaced with a different atom or group of atoms
Electrophile
An atom or group of atoms that is attracted to an electron rich centre, where it accepts a pair of electrons to form a new covalent bond
Electrophilic substitution
A type of substitution in which an electrophile is attracted to an electron rich centre or atom where it accepts a pair of electrons to form a new covalent bond
Reaction mechanism
A series of steps that together make up the overall reaction
Curly arrow
Represents the movement of an electron pair in the breaking or formation of covalent bonds (in reaction mechanisms)
Functional group
The part of a molecule responsible for its chemical reactivity
Electronegativity
A measure of the attraction of a bonded atom for the pair of electrons in a covalent bond
Redox reaction
When both reduction and oxidation take place
Reflux
The continual boiling and condensing of a reaction mixture to ensure the reaction takes place without the contents of the flask boiling dry
Nucleophile
An atom or group of atoms attracted to an electron deficient centre, where it donates a pair of electrons to form a new covalent bond.
Esterification
The reaction of an alcohol with a carboxylic acid to produce an ester and water
Hydrolysis
A reaction with water or hydroxide ions that breaks a chemical compound into two compounds
Triglyceride
A triester of glycerol and fatty acids
Delocalised electrons
are shared between more than two atoms
Low-density lipoprotein
Responsible for carrying cholesterol and triglycerides from the liver to the tissues
(Can deposit lipids onto artery walls, restricting blood flow)
High-density lipoprotein
Can remove cholesterol from the arteries and transport it back to the liver where it is excreted or re-utilised
Peptide
A compound made of amino acids linked by peptide bonds
Zwitterion
A dipolar ionic form of an amino acid that is formed by the donation of a hydrogen ion from the carboxylic group to the amino group.
Because both charges are present there is no overall charge
Isoelectric point
The pH value at which the amino acid exists as a zwitterion
Condensation reaction
Two small molecules react together to form a larger molecule with the elimination of a small molecule such as water
Hydrolysis
Involves the breaking of a bond by reaction with water.
Can be catalysed by acid or alkali
Stereoisomers
Species with the same structural formula but with a different arrangement of atoms in space
Chiral carbon
A carbon atom attached to four different atoms or groups of atoms
Biodegradable polymer
Breaks down completely into carbon dioxide and water
Degradable polymer
Breaks down into smaller fragments when exposed to light, heat or moisture
Pharmacological activity
The beneficial or adverse effects of a drug on living matter
Phase
A physically distinctive form of a substance
Such as solid liquid and gaseous states of ordinary matter
Mobile phase
The phase that moves in chromatography
Stationary phase
The phase that doesn’t move in chromatography
Adsorption
The process by which a solid holds molecules of a gas or liquid or solute as a thin film on the surface of a solid or, more rarely, a liquid
Chromatogram
A visible record showing the result of separation of the components of a mixture by chromatography
Rf value
In thin layer chromatography: shows how far a component has moved compared with the solvent front
Rf = distance moved by component/distance moved by solvent front
Retention time
In gas chromatography: the time for a component to pass from the column inlet to the detector
Chemical shift, δ
A scale that compares the frequency of an NMR absorption with the frequency of the reference peak of TMS at δ=0ppm
Optical isomers (enantiomers)
(Stereoisomers that are) non-superimposable mirror images about an organic chiral centre
