Organic Chemistry

• What is a hydrocarbon?

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

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

  It contains a C=C double bond
• What defines a saturated compound?

  It contains single carbon-carbon bonds only
• What is a general formula in organic chemistry?

  An algebraic formula for a homologous series
• What is the general formula for alkanes?

  C_nH_2n
• What does the empirical formula show?

  It shows the simplest whole number ratio of atoms
• What does a displayed formula illustrate?

  All the covalent bonds and atoms present
• How should hydrogen atoms be added when drawing organic compounds?

  So that 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 does a skeletal formula represent?

  The simplified organic formula without hydrogen atoms
• What is a structural formula?

  It shows the arrangement of atoms in a molecule
• What is a functional group?

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

  Families of organic compounds with the same functional group
• How do members of a homologous series differ?

  Each member differs by CH₂ from the last
• What is the prefix 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 are the characteristics of a homologous series?

  • Same functional group
  • Same general formula
  • Gradual change in physical properties
  • Each member differs by CH₂
  • Same chemical properties
• What is the order of precedence for functional groups?

  Carboxylic acids > aldehydes > ketones > alcohols > alkenes > halogenoalkanes
• What is the prefix for one carbon in a carbon chain?

  meth-
• What is the prefix for two carbons in a carbon chain?

  eth-
• What is the prefix for three carbons in a carbon chain?

  prop-
• What is the prefix for four carbons in a carbon chain?

  but-
• What is the prefix for five carbons in a carbon chain?

  pent-
• What is the prefix for six carbons in a carbon chain?

  hex-
• What is the prefix for seven carbons in a carbon chain?

  hept-
• What is the prefix for eight carbons in a carbon chain?

  oct-
• What is the prefix for nine carbons in a carbon chain?

  non-
• What is the prefix for ten carbons in a carbon chain?

  dec-
• What are the general rules for naming carbon chains?

  • Count the longest carbon chain
  • Identify branched chains and count carbons
  • Add appropriate prefix for each branch
• How is the position of a functional group indicated?

  By a number from the end of the molecule
• When are numbers included in naming?

  Only if needed to avoid ambiguity
• How are words and numbers separated in naming?

  Words are separated by dashes, numbers by commas
• How are multiple functional groups or side chains listed?

  In alphabetical order, ignoring di, tri