Introduction to organic chemistry

• What is a hydrocarbon?


  A compound consisting of hydrogen and carbon only
• What does the molecular formula represent?


  The actual number of each type of atom in a compound
• What characterizes an unsaturated hydrocarbon?


  It contains a C=C double bond
• What characterizes a saturated hydrocarbon?


  It contains single carbon-carbon bonds only
• What is a general formula in organic chemistry?


  An algebraic formula for a homologous series, e.g., C$_nH_{2n}$
• What does the empirical formula show?


  The simplest whole number ratio of atoms of each element in the compound
• What is a displayed formula?


  • Shows all the covalent bonds and atoms present in a molecule
  • Used to illustrate the structure of organic compounds
• How should hydrogen atoms be added when drawing organic compounds?


  So that each carbon has 4 bonds
• What is the shape around the carbon atom in saturated hydrocarbons?


  The shape is tetrahedral with a bond angle of 109.5°
• What is a skeletal formula?


  • A simplified organic formula
  • Shows the carbon skeleton and associated functional groups
  • Hydrogen atoms are removed from alkyl chains
• What is a structural formula?


  • Shows the minimal detail of the arrangement of atoms in a molecule
  • Example for butane: CH$_3CH_2CH_2CH_3$ or CH$_3(CH_2)_2CH_3$
• What is a functional group?


  An atom or group of atoms that causes different molecules to have similar chemical properties
• What are homologous series in organic chemistry?


  • Families of organic compounds with the same functional group
  • Same general formula
  • Show gradual changes in physical properties (e.g., boiling point)
  • Each member differs by CH$_2$ from the last
• What are the naming conventions for functional groups in organic compounds?


  • Alkane: -ane
  • Alkenes: -ene
  • Alcohols: -ol (hydroxy- as prefix)
  • Halogenoalkanes: chloro-, bromo-, iodo-
  • Aldehydes: -al (formyl- as prefix)
  • Ketones: -one (oxo- as prefix)
  • Carboxylic acids: -oic acid
  • Esters: -yl -oate
• What is the suffix for alkanes?


  • ane
• What is the suffix for alkenes?


  • ene
• What is the suffix for alcohols?


  • ol
• What is the prefix for halogenoalkanes?


  chloro-, bromo-, iodo-
• What is the suffix for aldehydes?


  • al
• What is the suffix for ketones?


  • one
• What is the suffix for carboxylic acids?


  • oic acid
• What is the suffix for esters?


  • yl -oate
• What are the general rules for naming carbon chains?


  • Count the longest carbon chain and name it
  • Identify and count branched chains
  • Add appropriate prefixes for each branch chain
• How do you name a branched chain with 3 methyl groups on a heptane chain?


  3,5-dimethylheptane
• What are the basic rules for naming functional groups?


  • The position of the functional group is indicated by a number
  • Count from the end that gives the lowest number
  • Include numbers only if needed to avoid ambiguity
  • Separate words with dashes and numbers with commas
  • List groups in alphabetical order (ignoring di, tri)
• What happens when a suffix starts with a vowel in naming?


  Remove the -e from the stem alkane name
• What happens when a suffix starts with a consonant or when using di or tri?

  Do not remove the -e from the stem alkane name
• How do functional groups affect numbering in naming compounds?


  Functional groups take precedence over branched chains in giving the lowest number
• What is the naming convention for multiple functional groups or side chains?


  List the groups in alphabetical order (ignoring di, tri)
• What is the suffix for aldehydes?


  • al
• What is the suffix for ketones?


  • one
• What is the suffix for carboxylic acids?


  • oic acid
• What is the suffix for esters?


  • yl -oate
• What is the naming convention for aldehydes?


  An aldehyde’s name ends in -al and is always on the first carbon
• What is the naming convention for ketones?


  Ketones end in -one and require a number for the position of the double bond if there are 5 or more carbons
• What is the naming convention for carboxylic acids?


  They end in -oic acid and the numbering starts from the carboxylic acid end
• What is the naming convention for compounds with carboxylic acid groups on both ends?


  It is called a dioic acid
• What is the naming convention for compounds with two ketone groups?


  Di is put before -one and an e is added to the stem
• What is the naming convention for compounds with two aldehyde groups?


  Di is put before -al and an e is added to the stem
• What is the naming convention for compounds with two carboxylic acid groups?


  It is called a dioic acid