Chemistry: Organic Chemistry
This flashcard set introduces the foundation of organic chemistry, focusing on carbon and its covalent bonding. It also defines key types of chemical formulas—molecular and empirical—used to represent organic compounds.
Organic chemistry is the chemistry of…
Carbon and it’s compounds
Key Terms
Organic chemistry is the chemistry of…
Carbon and it’s compounds
What sort of bonds does carbon form
Covalent
Molecular formula
The actual number of atoms of each element present in a molecule
Empirical formula
The simplest whole number ratio of atoms of each element present in a molecule
What do we need to know to work out the molecular formula from the empirical formula
Mr
Structural formula
Shows how atoms in a molecule are arranged
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Organic chemistry is the chemistry of… | Carbon and it’s compounds |
What sort of bonds does carbon form | Covalent |
Molecular formula | The actual number of atoms of each element present in a molecule |
Empirical formula | The simplest whole number ratio of atoms of each element present in a molecule |
What do we need to know to work out the molecular formula from the empirical formula | Mr |
Structural formula | Shows how atoms in a molecule are arranged |
Displayed formula | Shows all the atoms and bonds in a molecule |
Skeletal formula | Shows the shape of the carbon skeleton |
Homologous series | A family of compounds containing the same functional group and having the same general formula but having a different carbon chain length. Each successive member has an extra CH2 |
Functional group | An atom or group of atoms which gives an organic compound it’s particular chemical properties |
Hydrocarbons | Compounds containing carbon and hydrogen atoms only |
Alkanes | Contain single carbon-carbon bonds only |
Alkenes | Contain one or more carbon-carbon double bonds |
Aliphatic hydrocarbons | Chains |
Alicyclic hydrocarbons | Rings |
Aromatic hydrocarbons | Benzene rings |
What is nomenclature | A system of naming compounds |
What 3 main parts do names of organic compounds have | The stem The prefix The suffix |
What does the stem tell us | How many carbons there are in the longest chain bearing the functional group |
Where is the prefix added | Before the stem |
What does the prefix tell us | The position of the side chains and/or functional groups Side chains are often alkyl groups |
What is an alkyl group | An alkane with a hydrogen atom removed Usually denoted by letter R |
Where is the suffix added | After the stem |
What does the suffix tell us | The functional group present |
What is the stem and alkyl group for 1 carbon in longest chain | Meth Methyl |
Why is the stem and alkyl group for 2 carbons in longest chain | Eth Ethyl |
What is the stem and alkyl group of 3 carbons in longest chain | Prop Propyl |
What is the stem and alkyl group of longest carbon chain 4 | But Butyl |
What is the stem and alkyl group of 5 in longest carbon chain | Pent Pentyl |
What is the stem and alkyl group of 6 carbons in longest chain | Hex Hexyl |
General formula aliphatic alkanes | CnH2n+2 |
Can the chains be branched or unbranched in aliphatic chains | Both |
General formula cyclic alkanes | CnH2n |
Stem of cyclic alkanes | Cyclo followed by name of longest continuous carbon ring |
Isomers | Different compounds with the same molecular formula |
Structural isomers | Compounds with same molecular formula but different structural formula |
Sub divisions of structural isomers | Chain isomers Position isomers Functional group isomers |
What are chain isomers | Have same molecular formula but their structures have the hydrocarbon chain arranged differently |
Position isomers | Have functional group in different positions |
Functional group isomers | Have same molecular formula but a different functional group |
Stereoisomers | Compounds with the same structural formula but different arrangement of atoms in space |
Two types of stereoisomers | E/Z or geometric Optical |