11.1 - Carbon Compounds

• How many covalent bonds does carbon form in stable compounds?

  Four covalent bonds
• What is the outer shell electron configuration of carbon in stable compounds?

  Eight electrons in its outer shell
• What are the different ways carbon can form bonds?

  • Four single bonds (e.g., methane)
  • Two single bonds and one double bond (e.g., ethene)
  • One single bond and one triple bond (e.g., ethyne)
• What does the empirical formula represent?

  It shows the simplest ratio of atoms
• How do you calculate the number of moles of carbon in 2.40 g?

  Number of moles = 2.40 / 12.0
• How do you calculate the number of moles of hydrogen in 0.60 g?

  Number of moles = 0.60 / 1.0
• What does the molecular formula represent?

  It shows the actual number of atoms
• How is the molecular formula derived from the empirical formula?

  Using the relative molecular mass
• What is the relative molecular mass of the empirical formula CH₃?

  15.0
• If the relative molecular mass of ethane is 30.0, how many units of the empirical formula are in ethane?

  Two units of the empirical formula
• What are the different types of formulae used in organic chemistry?

  • Empirical formula
  • Molecular formula
  • Displayed formula
  • Structural formula
  • Skeletal formula
  • Three-dimensional structural formula
• What does the displayed formula show?

  Every atom and every bond in the molecule
• What is the displayed formula for ethene (C2H4)?

  Shows every atom and bond
• What does the structural formula represent?

  The unique arrangement of atoms in a molecule
• How are carbon atoms represented in skeletal formulae?

  Carbon atoms are not drawn at all
• What do straight lines represent in skeletal formulae?

  Carbon–carbon bonds
• What is the bond angle in an unbranched alkane chain?

  109.5 degrees
• What are the characteristics of three-dimensional structural formulae?

  • Show three-dimensional structure
  • Wedges indicate bonds coming out
  • Dotted lines indicate bonds going in
• What is the role of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC)?

  To standardize chemical nomenclature
• What is the significance of the root in IUPAC nomenclature?

  • Identifies the longest continuous hydrocarbon chain
  • Indicates presence of double or triple bonds
• What does the suffix -ane indicate in organic compounds?

  No double or triple bonds present
• What does the suffix -ene indicate in organic compounds?

  At least one double bond present
• What does the suffix -yne indicate in organic compounds?

  At least one triple bond present
• How many moles of carbon are in 4.8 g if the relative molecular mass is 58?

  0.4 mol of carbon
• What do prefixes in IUPAC nomenclature indicate?

  • Show the number of carbon atoms in side chains
  • Examples: methyl, ethyl, propyl
• How many moles of hydrogen are in 1.0 g?


  1. 0 mol of hydrogen
• What are the steps to draw skeletal and displayed formulas?

  1. Identify the longest carbon chain
  2. Determine functional groups and side chains
  3. Draw the skeletal formula
  4. Draw the displayed formula
• What are the characteristics of reaction mechanisms in organic chemistry?

  • Movement of electrons is key
  • Curly arrows represent electron movement
  • Free radicals are reactive fragments
• What do curly arrows represent in organic reactions?

  Movement of electrons
• What are free radicals?

  Fragments with an unpaired electron
• Why are free radicals usually extremely reactive?

  They have an unpaired electron