Ch 13 Organic Chemistry

• What is the study of carbon-containing compounds called?

  Organic chemistry
• Why are low carbon compounds considered inorganic?

  They have different properties than organic compounds
• What role do organic compounds play in living beings?

  They are essential for bodily functions
• Name two industrial organic chemical products.

  Plastics and rubber
• What is the primary source of energy we depend on?

  Organic materials in coal, oil, and natural gas
• What is the essential constituent of organic compounds?

  Carbon
• What elements are commonly found in organic compounds besides carbon?

  Hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, halogens
• What are hydrocarbons and their derivatives?

  They are defined as organic compounds
• What is a homologous series in organic chemistry?

  • A series of related compounds
  • Adjacent molecules differ by CH₂ group
  • Examples include alkanes and alcohols
• What is the molecular formula for methane?


  CH₄
• What is the molecular formula for ethane?

  CH₃-CH₃
• What is the molecular formula for propane?

  CH₃-CH₂-CH₃
• What is the molecular formula for butane?


  CH₃-CH₂-CH₂-CH₃
• How do adjacent alkanes differ in a homologous series?

  They differ by the -CH₂- unit
• What is the molecular formula for methanol?

  CH₃-OH
• What is the molecular formula for ethanol?

  CH₃-CH₂-OH
• What is the molecular formula for propanol?


  CH₃-CH₂-CH₂-OH
• What are the general characteristics of a homologous series?

  1. Same functional group
  2. Same general formula
  3. Adjacent members differ by -CH₂ unit
  4. Trend in physical properties
• What do family members in a homologous series possess?

  Similar chemical properties
• What are the general formulae for the following homologous series?

  • Alkanes: C_nH_2n+2
  • Alkenes: C_nH_2n
  • Alkynes: C_nH_2n-2
  • Alcohols: C_nH_2n+1OH
  • Carboxylic acids: C_nH_2n+1COOH
• How can you determine the molecular formula of a member of a homologous series?

  By substituting carbon atoms into the general formula
• What is the molecular formula of methane?

  CH₄
• What is the molecular formula of ethane?

  C₂H₆
• What is the molecular formula of propane?

  C₃H₈
• What is the molecular formula of ethene?

  C₂H₄
• What is the molecular formula of methanol?

  CH₃OH
• What is the significance of structural formulas in organic compounds?

  • Different compounds can share the same molecular formula
  • They have different properties due to different arrangements of atoms
• What is an example of two compounds with the same molecular formula?

  C₂H₆O
• What do different structural formulas indicate about organic compounds?

  They indicate different arrangements of atoms
• What are the differences between ethanol and dimethyl ether?

  • Both have the same molecular formula C₂H₆O
  • They have different structural formulas and properties
• How are atoms bonded in ether compared to another compound?

  In ether, oxygen bonds to two carbons.
• What is the molecular formula for the two organic compounds mentioned?

  C₂H₄O₂
• What is a structural formula?

  A formula describing atom arrangements in a molecule.
• What are the first three members of alkanes and their structural formulas?

  • Methane: H
  • Ethane: H H
  • Propane: H H H
• What are the condensed structural formulas for the first three alkanes?

  CH₃, CH₃CH₃, CH₃CH₂CH₃
• What are the corresponding molecular formulas for the first three alkanes?

  CH₄, C₂H₆, C₃H₈
• What is a condensed formula?

  A structural formula using established abbreviations.
• How are carbon atoms represented in a condensed structural formula?

  By listing main chain carbon atoms in sequence.
• What does —CH₃ represent in organic chemistry?

  Methyl group
• What is the difference in the bonding arrangement of oxygen atoms in ether and propanoic acid?

  In ether, the oxygen atom is bonded to two carbon atoms, while in propanoic acid, the oxygen atom is bonded to only one carbon atom and a hydrogen atom