Organic Intro

• What is a hydrocarbon?

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

  It shows the actual number of each atom
• What characterizes an unsaturated compound?

  Contains a C=C double bond
• What defines a saturated compound?

  Contains single carbon-carbon bonds only
• 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 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 carbon 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
  • Shows 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 is a functional group?

  An atom or group causing similar properties
• What are homologous series?

  • Families of organic compounds
  • Same functional group and general formula
  • Gradual change in physical properties
  • Each member differs by CH2
• 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 happens when compounds contain more than one functional group?

  • Order of precedence determines naming
  • Highest precedence group takes suffix
  • Others take prefix form
• What is the order of priority for functional groups?

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

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

  • Count the longest carbon chain
  • Identify branched chains and count carbons
  • 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 lowest number
• When are numbers included in naming compounds?

  Only if needed to avoid ambiguity
• What are the rules for using dashes and commas in naming?

  • Words separated by dashes
  • Numbers separated by commas
• What happens when using a suffix that starts with a vowel?

  • Remove the –e from the stem alkane name
  • Examples: Propan-1-ol, butan-1-amine
• What happens when using a suffix that starts with a consonant?

  • Do not remove the –e from the stem name
  • Examples: Propanenitrile, ethane-1,2-diol
• How is the functional group prioritized in numbering?

  Functional groups take precedence over branches
• What is the suffix for alcohols when there are multiple -OH groups?

  di, tri are used
• How is the suffix -en used for alkenes?

  Can go in front of other suffixes
• What is the naming convention for alkenes with multiple double bonds?

  Ends in diene or triene
• What is the naming convention for aldehydes?

  Ends in -al
• Where is the C=O bond located in aldehydes?

  On the first carbon of the chain
• What is the naming convention for ketones?

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

  When they have 5 or more carbons
• What is a hydrocarbon?

  A compound consisting of hydrogen and carbon only
• What is a molecular formula?

  A formula that shows the actual number of each type of atom