Isomerism

• What are organic compounds primarily composed of?

  Molecules that contain carbon
• What type of element is carbon?

  Non-metal
• In which group of the periodic table is carbon found?

  Group 4
• How many electrons does carbon have in its outer shell?

  4 electrons
• What type of bonding does carbon primarily engage in?

  Covalent bonding
• How many bonds can carbon form?

  4 bonds
• Can carbon bond to other carbon atoms?

  Yes, it can form long molecules
• What are hydrocarbons composed of?

  Only carbon and hydrogen
• Give examples of hydrocarbons.

  Alkanes and alkenes
• Is alcohol considered a hydrocarbon?

  No, it is not a hydrocarbon
• What defines a saturated molecule?

  It contains only carbon-carbon single bonds
• What is an example of a saturated molecule?

  Alkane
• What are the general and molecular formulas for alkanes?

  • General formula: C_nH_2n+2
  • Molecular formula example: Butane C₄H₁₀
• What is the general formula for alkenes?

  • General formula: C_nH_2n
• What is the general formula for alcohols?

  • General formula: C_nH_2n+1OH
• What is the empirical formula?

  A simple whole number ratio in a molecule
• What is the empirical formula for butane?

  C₂H₅
• What does the displayed formula show?

  The arrangement of atoms and bonds
• How is butane represented in the displayed formula?


  1. ----H
• What does the structural formula show?

  The arrangement of atoms without the bonds
• How is butane represented in the structural formula?

  CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₃
• What does the skeletal formula show?

  The bonds only and any other atoms that aren't carbon or hydrogen
• In a skeletal formula, what happens to carbons and hydrogens?

  They disappear; bonds connect to each other
• What are the nomenclature rules for naming organic compounds?

  1. Find the longest chain containing the functional group.
  2. Main functional group gives the suffix.
  3. Number the carbons with the main functional group attached having the lowest number.
  4. Add side chains as prefixes in alphabetical order.
  5. Use di-, tri-, or tetra- for identical side chains or functional groups.
• What suffix is used for alkanes?

  • ane
• What suffix is used for alkenes?

  • ene
• What prefix is used for alcohols?

  Hydroxy-
• What prefixes are used for haloalkanes?

  Chloro-, bromo-, iodo-
• What suffix is used for carboxylic acids?

  • oic acid
• How should side chains be added in the nomenclature of organic compounds?

  As prefixes in alphabetical order with the carbon number
• What is the prefix for a methyl side chain?

  Methyl-
• What is isomerism?

  Isomerism refers to molecules that have the same molecular formula but different structures.
• What is the prefix for an ethyl side chain?

  Ethyl-
• What is the prefix for a propyl side chain?

  Propyl-
• How do you indicate multiple identical side chains or functional groups in nomenclature?

  By using di-, tri-, or tetra- before the corresponding part of the name
• What are the two types of isomerism?

  Structural isomerism and stereoisomerism.
• What are structural isomers?

  • Molecules with the same molecular formula
  • Different structural formulas
• What are the three types of structural isomers?

  1. Chain isomerism
  2. Position isomerism
  3. Functional group isomerism
• What is chain isomerism?

  Chain isomerism involves the same molecular formula but different arrangements of the carbon skeleton.
• What is positional isomerism?

  Positional isomerism involves the same molecular formula but different positions of the functional group on the carbon skeleton.