Organic compounds

• What is the focus of this section?

  Organic chemistry and organic compounds
• What defines organic compounds?

  Molecules that contain carbon
• What are the types of formulas used to represent organic compounds?

  • General formula
  • Empirical formula
  • Molecular formula
  • Structural formula
• What does the general formula represent?

  A family of compounds
• What is the purpose of an empirical formula?

  It shows the simplest ratio of atoms
• What does a molecular formula indicate?

  The actual number of atoms in a molecule
• What does a structural formula display?

  The arrangement of atoms and bonds
• What does the molecular formula CH₂ represent?

  Two hydrogen atoms and one carbon atom
• What does the structural formula show about atoms?

  How atoms are arranged and bonded
• What are the characteristics of homologous series?

  • Group of compounds with similar properties
  • Differ by a constant unit (e.g., -CH₂)
  • Can be represented by the same general formula
• What do alkanes contain?

  Only carbon and hydrogen atoms
• What is the general formula for alkanes?

  C_nH_2n+2
• How can you identify a homologous series?

  By the same general formula
• What is the significance of the general formula in organic chemistry?

  It helps categorize compounds into families
• What are the properties of alkanes?

  • Saturated hydrocarbons
  • Nonpolar and hydrophobic
  • Generally unreactive
  • Used as fuels and lubricants
• What is the formula for the simplest alkane?

  CH₄
• What do the terms "homologous series" and "general formula" imply in organic chemistry?

  They indicate a systematic way to classify compounds
• How do homologous series relate to chemical properties?

  They exhibit trends in physical and chemical properties
• What do alkanes contain in their molecular structure?

  Only carbon and hydrogen atoms
• What is the first alkane in the series?

  CH₄
• What is the second alkane in the series?

  C₂H₆
• What do molecules in a homologous series contain?

  The same functional group
• What is a functional group?

  A group of atoms determining compound reactions
• How do compounds in a homologous series typically react?

  In similar ways
• What are the functional groups you need to know for alkanes?

  • Alkanes
  • Alcohols
  • Carboxylic acids
• What is the functional group for alcohols?

  R-OH
• What is the functional group for carboxylic acids?

  R-COOH
• What is the functional group for esters?

  R-COOR'
• What is the functional group for amines?

  R-NH₂
• What are the functional groups for esters and amines?

  • Esters: R-COOR'
  • Amines: R-NH₂
• What is the functional group for ethers?

  R-O-R'
• What is the significance of functional groups in organic chemistry?

  They determine how compounds react
• What are the key characteristics of homologous series?

  • Same functional group
  • Similar chemical properties
  • Gradation in physical properties
• How do the properties of alkanes change as the number of carbon atoms increases?

  They generally increase in boiling point
• What is the general trend in boiling points for alkanes?

  Boiling points increase with more carbon atoms
• What is the molecular formula for propane?

  C₃H₈
• What is the molecular formula for butane?

  C₄H₁₀
• What is the relationship between the number of carbon atoms and the number of hydrogen atoms in alkanes?

  Hydrogens are twice the number of carbons plus two
• How does the structure of alkanes affect their reactivity?

  More branching leads to lower reactivity
• What is the significance of the carbon chain length in alkanes?

  It affects physical and chemical properties