Nomenclature and isomerism

• What is a homologous series?

  A homologous series is a group of organic compounds with the same functional group and similar chemical properties.
• What is a functional group?

  A functional group is a specific group of atoms within a molecule that is responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of that molecule.
• What suffix is used for aldehydes?

  The suffix for aldehydes is -al.
• What prefix is used for aldehydes?

  The prefix for aldehydes is formyl-.
• What suffix is used for ketones?

  The suffix for ketones is -one.
• What prefix is used for ketones?

  The prefix for ketones is oxo-.
• What suffix is used for carboxylic acids?

  The suffix for carboxylic acids is -oic acid.
• What suffix is used for nitriles?

  The suffix for nitriles is -nitrile.
• What prefix is used for nitriles?

  The prefix for nitriles is cyano-.
• What suffix is used for amines?

  The suffix for amines is -amine.
• What prefix is used for amines?

  The prefix for amines is amino-.
• What is the naming convention for esters?

  Esters are named with the suffix -yl for the alcohol part and -oate for the acid part.
• What suffix is used for acyl chlorides?

  The suffix for acyl chlorides is -oyl chloride.
• What suffix is used for amides?

  The suffix for amides is -amide.
• What suffix is used for acid anhydrides?

  The suffix for acid anhydrides is -oic anhydride.
• What is the order of precedence for naming functional groups in organic compounds?

  1. Carboxylic acids
  2. Carboxylic acid derivatives
  3. Nitriles
  4. Aldehydes
  5. Ketones
  6. Alcohols
  7. Amines
  8. Alkenes
  9. Halogenoalkanes
• How do you determine which functional group takes the suffix in a compound with multiple functional groups?

  The highest precedence group takes the suffix, while others take the prefix form.
• What is the naming convention for secondary amines?

  In secondary amines, each alkyl group is named, and the smaller group is preceded by an -N.
• What is the naming convention for tertiary amines?

  Tertiary amines are named similarly to secondary amines, with each alkyl group preceded by an -N.
• What is the suffix for ketones when they have 5 or more carbons?

  Ketones need a number to show the position of the double bond when they have 5 or more carbons.
• How is an aldehyde's position on the carbon chain determined?

  An aldehyde always has the C=O bond on the first carbon of the chain.
• What is the suffix for carboxylic acids when they are at the end of a carbon chain?

  Carboxylic acids have the suffix -oic acid and do not require a number.
• What is the naming convention for a compound with carboxylic acid groups on both ends of the chain?

  It is called a -dioic acid.
• How are esters named?

  Esters are named with the alcohol part ending in -yl and the acid part ending in -anoate.
• What is the naming convention for acid anhydrides?

  Acid anhydrides are named by combining the names of the acid groups involved.
• What is the suffix for acyl chlorides?

  The suffix for acyl chlorides is -oyl chloride.
• What is the suffix for amides?

  The suffix for amides is -amide.
• What is the naming convention for nitriles?

  Nitriles end in -nitrile, with the C of the CN group counting as the first carbon.
• What is stereoisomerism?

  • Stereoisomers have the same structural formula but different spatial arrangements.
  • Types include geometrical (E-Z isomerism) and optical isomerism.
• What are the types of structural isomerism?

  • Chain isomerism
  • Position isomerism
  • Functional group isomerism
• What is optical isomerism?

  Optical isomerism occurs in compounds with a chiral carbon atom that has four different groups attached.
• What are enantiomers?

  Enantiomers are optical isomers that are mirror images of each other and are not superimposable.
• What is a racemic mixture?

  A racemic mixture contains equal amounts of two enantiomers and does not rotate plane-polarized light.
• How do optical isomers affect plane-polarized light?

  Optical isomers rotate plane-polarized light in different directions.
• What is the significance of chiral carbon in optical isomerism?

  A chiral carbon has four different groups attached, leading to the formation of optical isomers.
• How does drug action relate to optical isomers?

  Different optical isomers may have very different effects on biological systems.
• How is a racemate formed in a reaction mechanism?

  A racemate forms when a trigonal planar group is approached from both sides by an attacking species.
• What happened with thalidomide regarding its optical isomers?

  One enantiomer of thalidomide caused birth defects while the other was a useful sedative.
• How does the nucleophilic addition of HCN to aldehydes and ketones relate to optical isomers?

  Nucleophilic addition can lead to the formation of a racemate when approached from both sides.
• What is the mechanism for the formation of a racemate in reactions?

  • A trigonal planar group is approached from both sides by an attacking species.
  • Equal chance of forming either enantiomer leads to a racemate.