3.01 introduction to organics

• what is an empirical formula?

  the simplest whole number ratio of atoms of each element in a compound.
• what is molecular formul?

  the true number of each atom in an element.
• what is general formula?

  algebraic formulae for a specific homologous series.
• what is structural formula?

  the arrangements of atoms within a molecule.
• what is displayed formula?

  shows all covalent bonds and atoms in a molecule.
• what is skeletal formula?

  shows the bonds in a compound and non-carbon elements.
• in straight chain alkanes what does the prefix depend on?

  the number of carbons in the longest chain.
• name the prefix's for alkanes 1-10

  • meth• eth• prop• but• pent• hex • hept • oct • non• dec
• how do we name branched alkanes?

  name the longest carbon chain, counting from the side that reaches the branching first
• how do we name cycloalkanes?

  "cyclo" before the name of the alkane.
• what is the ranking of naming orders?

  halogens - alkyl - alkanes - others each group is individually ordered alphabetically
• what are functional groups?

  atoms/groups of organic compounds which when presented in different molecules have similar chemical properties.
• what are homologous series?

  families of organic compounds with the same functional group and same general formula.
• what do functional groups have in common?

  same chemical properties and a trend in physical properties.
• what functional group is c=c, and what is its nomenclature ?

  alkene. -ene.
• what functional group is c-cl/f/br/i and what is its nomenclature?

  halogenoalkanes chloro- fluoro- bromo- iodo-
• what functional group is c-oh and what is its nomenclature?

  alcohol. -ol.
• what functional group is o=c-h and what is its nomenclature? (c is only bonded to one other c)

  aldehyde. -al.
• what functional group is c-c=o and what is its nomenclature? (c is bonded to two cs)

  ketone.-one.
• what functional group is o=c-oh and what is its nomenclature?

  carboxylic acid. -oic acid.
• what functional group is o=c-o-c and what is its nomenclature?

  ester. -oate.
• what functional group is C-NH2 and what is its nomenclature?

  amine. -amine.
• what functional group is c - - - n and what is its nomenclature?

  nitrile.- nitrile.
• what is a structural isomer?

  compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formula.
• what are the three types of structural isomers?

  chain, position, functional group.
• what are chain isomers?

  Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structures of the carbon skeleton.
• what are position isomers?

  Compounds with the same molecular formula but different positions of the same functional group.
• what are functional group isomers?

  Compounds with the same molecular formula but with atoms arranged to give different functional groups.
• what are stereoisomers?

  Compounds with the same structural formula but with a different arrangement of the atoms in space.
• what causes stereoisomerism?


  atoms bonded around a c=c cannot rotate around the double bond because they are planar and the structure is too rigid.
• what is the name of stereoisomerism in alkenes?

  E/Z or geometric.
• when does E/Z isomerism occur?

  When there are two different groups attached to each carbon at each end of the double bond.
• if the same groups are on the same side (top or bottom) of the double bond what isomerism is it?

  Z - friendZ.
• if the same group are on opposite side (one top one bottom) of the double bond what isomerism is it?

  E - Enemies.
• what is the Cahn-Ingold-Prelog priority rule?

  • priority is assigned to the atoms around the double bond (highest mr = highest priority)• base the isomer name on the position of the two highest priority.
• Each homologous series has its own general formula. State two other characteristics of an homologous series

  React in the same way since they are chemically similar

  Differ by CH2

  Have a trend in physical properties that gradually changes
• How does E-Z stereoisomerism effect physical properties?

  They can have differing melting and boiling points. 

   For instance, depending on the position of certain electronegative atoms, it can actually make a molecule polar or non polar. Polar molecules have a higher melting point since IM forces are both VDW and permanent dipole dipole.  
• How do you name E-Z isomers?

  Determine the priority groups on both sides of the double bond

  If the priority atom is on the same size, it is labelled Z

  If the priority group is on the opposite site, it is labelled E 
• How do you identify the priority group in an e-z isomer?

  The atom with the bigger atomic number 
• What is the order of priority for naming functional groups?

  Carboxylic Acids / Aldehydes / Keytones

  Alcohols

  Alkenes

  Haloalkanes