Organic Chemistry

• What is organic chemistry?

  The study of carbon-containing compounds.
• What is a hydrocarbon?

  A compound made of only carbon and hydrogen atoms.
• What is a homologous series?

  A family of organic compounds with the same general formula and similar chemical properties, differing by CH₂.
• What is a functional group?

  A specific group of atoms in a molecule that determines its chemical properties.
• What are the first four prefixes in organic chemistry?

  Meth- (1C), Eth- (2C), Prop- (3C), But- (4C).
• What is the general formula of alkanes?

  CₙH₂ₙ₊₂
• Are alkanes saturated or unsaturated?

  Saturated, because they contain only single C-C bonds.
• What type of reactions do alkanes undergo?

  Combustion and substitution reactions.
• What happens during the combustion of alkanes?

  • Complete combustion: Produces

  CO₂ + H₂O.CO (toxic) or C (soot).

  • Incomplete combustion: Produces
• What is a substitution reaction?

  A reaction where an atom (e.g., hydrogen) is replaced by another atom (e.g., chlorine) in the presence of UV light.
• What is the general formula of alkenes?

  CₙH₂ₙ
• Are alkenes saturated or unsaturated?

  Unsaturated, because they contain at least one C=C double bond.
• What type of reactions do alkenes undergo?

  Addition reactions (e.g., hydrogenation, halogenation, hydration).
• What happens when bromine water is added to an alkene?

  The brown/orange bromine water turns colorless, proving the presence of a C=C bond.
• What is hydrogenation?

  Adding hydrogen (H₂) to an alkene to make an alkane, using a nickel catalyst.
• What is hydration?

  Adding steam (H₂O) to an alkene to form an alcohol, using a phosphoric acid catalyst.
• What is the general formula of alcohols?

  CₙH₂ₙ₊₁OH
• What is the functional group of alcohols?

  -OH
• What are two ways to make ethanol?

  1. Fermentation (glucose + yeast)2. Hydration of ethene (alkene + steam).
• What happens when alcohols burn in air?

  They undergo complete combustion, forming CO₂ + H₂O.
• What happens when alcohols react with sodium?

  They produce hydrogen gas and a sodium alkoxide.
• How do alcohols form carboxylic acids?

  By oxidation using acidified potassium dichromate.
• What is the general formula of carboxylic acids?

  CₙH₂ₙO₂
• What is the functional group of carboxylic acids?

  -COOH
• What type of acids are carboxylic acids?

  Weak acids, because they only partially ionize in water.
• How do carboxylic acids react with carbonates?

  They produce carbon dioxide, salt, and water.
• How do carboxylic acids react with alcohols?

  They form esters in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid (esterification).
• What is the functional group of esters?

  -COO-
• How are esters formed?

  By reacting an alcohol with a carboxylic acid in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid.
• What are the uses of esters?

  Perfumes, flavorings, and solvents (they have fruity smells).
• How do you name esters?

  • The first part comes from the

  alcohol (-yl).carboxylic acid (-oate).

  • The second part comes from the
• What is a polymer?

  A long-chain molecule made from repeating units called monomers.
• What are the two types of polymerization?

  Addition polymerization and condensation polymerization.
• What happens in addition polymerization?

  Monomers with C=C double bonds join together without producing any byproducts.
• Give an example of an addition polymer.

  Poly(ethene) from ethene.
• What happens in condensation polymerization?

  Monomers join together, losing a small molecule (e.g., water or HCl) in the process.
• Give an example of a condensation polymer.

  Polyesters (formed from dicarboxylic acids and diols).