1. Introduction to organic chemistry

• Compounds that contain carbon and hydrogen only are called hydrocarbons
• A functional group is a group of atoms which are responsible for the characteristic reactions of a compound
• Molecules that contain the same functional group all belong to the same chemical family, a homologous series.
• A homologous series is a group of compounds which have the same general formula
• As the length of the carbon chain increases, the influence of the functional group on the compounds’ properties decreases
• All members of a homologous series:

  ● have the same general formula

  ● show a gradation in physical properties

  ● have similar chemical properties

  ● have the same functional group

  ● differ from successive members by a —CH2 group.
• The molecular formula shows the actual number of atoms of each element in a compound
• All atoms and all covalent bonds for a compound are shown in its displayed formula
• The structural formula of a compound shows the arrangement of atoms, carbon by carbon with the attached hydrogens and functional groups, without showing the bonds
• An empirical formula is the simplest whole number ratio of the atoms of each element in a compound
• Skeletal formulae are an abbreviated diagrammatic description of a compound. They are bare ‘stick-like’ drawings.
• A general formula is a type of empirical formula that represents the composition of any member of a homologous series
• Locant is the term used for the number which indicates the position of a side chain or substituent group within a molecule
• If there are two or more side chains or substituent groups, the following rules apply

  1. Names are placed in alphabetical order
  2. A separate number is needed for each side chain or group
  3. Hyphens (-) are placed between numbers and letters separating them
• fill in the homologous series name

  A) carboxylic acid

  B) ester

  C) nitrile

  D) alcohol

  E) amine

  F) alkene

  G) halogenoalkane

  
• Compounds that have the same molecular formula but a different structural formula are known as structural isomers
• Chain isomerism occurs when there is more than one way of arranging carbon atoms in the longest chain
• Positional isomers have the same carbon chain and the same functional group but it is attached at different points along the carbon chain
• Functional group isomers are compounds with the same molecular formula that have different functional groups
• Isomers = same molecular formula but a different structural formula
• Stereoisomers are molecules which have the same molecular and structural formula but a different arrangement of atoms in 3D space
• There are two types of stereoisomerism: E-Z isomerism and optical isomerism
• A functional group is a group of atoms which are responsible for the characteristic reactions of a molecule
• Organic compounds contain carbon
• Molecules that contain the same functional group all belong to a homologous series
• Chemists use a standard system for the naming of organic chemicals (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) IUPAC
• Sulfur compounds found in crude oil should be removed from the fractions before they are used for central heating fuel becauseee:

  On combustion, is SO2 produced which causes acid rain