Intro to organic

• 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
• What characterizes an unsaturated compound?

  Contains a C=C double bond
• What is a general formula in organic chemistry?

  An algebraic formula for a homologous series
• What does the empirical formula show?

  The simplest whole number ratio of atoms
• What is a displayed formula?

  • Shows all covalent bonds and atoms
  • Represents the complete structure of a molecule
• How should hydrogen atoms be added when drawing organic compounds?

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

  Tetrahedral with a bond angle of 109.5°
• What is a skeletal formula?

  • Simplified organic formula
  • Removes hydrogen atoms from alkyl chains
  • Leaves a carbon skeleton and functional groups
• What is a structural formula?

  • Shows minimal detail of atom arrangement
  • Example for butane: CH3CH2CH2CH3 or CH3(CH2)2CH3
• What are homologous series in organic chemistry?

  • Families of organic compounds with the same functional group
  • Show gradual change in physical properties
  • Each member differs by CH2
  • Same chemical properties
• 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 order of precedence for functional groups?

  1. Carboxylic acids
  2. Aldehydes
  3. Ketones
  4. Alcohols
  5. Alkenes
  6. Halogenoalkanes
• What are the codes for the number of carbons in organic compounds?

  • 1: meth
  • 2: eth
  • 3: prop
  • 4: but
  • 5: pent
  • 6: hex
  • 7: hept
  • 8: oct
  • 9: non
  • 10: dec
• What are the general rules for naming carbon chains?

  • Count the longest carbon chain
  • Identify and count branched chains
  • Add appropriate prefix for branches
• How do you indicate the position of a functional group on a carbon chain?

  By numbering from the end giving the lowest number
• When are numbers included in naming organic compounds?

  Only if needed to avoid ambiguity
• What are the rules for using suffixes in naming organic compounds?

  • Remove the -e if suffix starts with a vowel
  • Do not remove -e if suffix starts with a consonant
  • Use di, tri for multiple functional groups
• What is the correct name for 3,5-dimethylheptane?

  It indicates two methyl groups on heptane
• How are alcohols named in relation to their functional group?

  Ending in -ol with position number if necessary
• What happens when an -OH group is present with a higher priority functional group?

  The higher priority group gets the suffix
• What is the naming convention for compounds with multiple -OH groups?

  Use di, tri and add 'e' to the stem name
• How is the suffix -en used in naming alkenes?

  It can precede other suffixes
• How is the position of a double bond indicated in alkenes?

  By using the lower number of the two carbons
• What is the naming convention for aldehydes?

  Ends in -al and is on the first carbon
• What is the naming convention for ketones?

  Ends in -one with a position number if needed
• How are carboxylic acids named?

  Ends in -oic acid with no number needed
• What is the naming convention for compounds with carboxylic acid groups on both ends?

  Called a dioic acid
• How are compounds with two ketone groups named?

  Use di before -one and add 'e' to the stem
• What is the suffix for aldehydes?


  • al
• Why does an aldehyde not need an extra number for its C=O bond?

  It is always on the first carbon
• What is the name of the aldehyde with two carbons?

  Ethanal
• What is the suffix for ketones?

  • one
• When do ketones require a number in their name?

  When they have 5 or more carbons