Structure and nomenclature Flashcards
Why is carbon able to form a diverse range of compounds? (2)
- Carbon is able to form four bonds which can include single, double or triple bonds.
- Carbon compounds are able to form rings or long-chain compounds.
What are alkanes?
- Saturated hydrocarbons containing only single bonds.
- formula: C2n H2n+2
What are alkenes?
- Unsaturated hydrocarbons containing a double bond
- formula: Cn H2n
What are alkynes?
- Unsaturated hydrocarbons containing a triple bond
- formula: Cn H2n-2
Why can carbon act as a cation and an anion?
Electronegativity is too low for it to attract electrons but too high for it to release electrons to form a cation.
Hence why it forms covalent bonds.
Why is carbon a stable atom?
Its 4 valence shell electrons allow it to form a shared octet of electrons.
Why is carbon able to form strong bonds?
Small size allows it to get close enough to form strong bonds, allowing electrostatic attraction to have greater effect.
What are the different types of formulas?
- structural
- semistructural
- skeletal
- molecular
What is a functional group?
A group of atom attached to a hydrocarbon chain that influence the physical and chemical properties of the compound.
What is a homologous series?
Series if organic compounds with that have the same structure but in which the formula of each molecule differs by a CH2 group.
What is an alcohol?
- Contains hydroxy group
- OH
- suffix: ol
What are the classifications of alcohols?
- primary: C-OH attached to one other C
- secondary: C- OH attached to 2 other C
- tertiary: C-OH attached to 3 other C
What is an aldehyde?
- Contains a carbonal group
- C=O
- suffix: al
- attached to first or last carbon
What is a ketone?
- Contains a carbonyl group
- C=O
- suufix: one
- attached to middle carbon
What is a carboxylic acid?
- Contains carboxy group
- COOH
- suffix: oic acid
- attached to end of a chain
