Intro to Organic Chem

• Different ways of writing and representing organic compounds:

  • Empirical Formula: The simplest whole number ratio of atoms of each element in a compound
  • Molecular Formula: The true number of atoms of each element in a compound
  • General Formula: All members of a homologous organic series follow the general formula
  • Structural Formula: Shows the structural arrangement of atoms within a molecule
  • Displayed Formula: Shows every atom and every bond in an organic compound
• • Skeletal Formula: Shows only the bonds in a compound and any non-carbon atoms. Vertices are carbon atoms. Hydrogen is assumed to be bonded to them unless stated otherwise
• Organic compounds are often part of a homologous series where all members follow a general formula and react in a very similar way

  • Each consecutive member differs by CH2
  • There is an increase in boiling points as chain length increases
• Reaction Mechanisms:

  • Show the movement of electrons within a reaction, shown with curly arrows
  • Mechanisms are used to show the reactions of organic compounds
• Isomerism:

  • Isomers are molecules with the same molecular formula but a different arrangement of atoms within the molecule
  • Structural Isomers: Different structural arrangement of atoms. They can be straight chains or branched chains but will have the same molecular formula
  • Position Isomers: Functional group of the molecule in a different position of the carbon chain
  • Functional Group Isomers: Different arrangement of the same molecular formula so that the molecule has a different functional group
• • Stereoisomers: Different spatial arrangement. E-Z isomerism is a type of stereoisomerism where limited rotation around a double carbon bond means that groups can either be ‘together’ or ‘apart’. The E isomer has these groups apart. The Z isomer has these groups together on the same side of the double bond
• Cahn-Ingold-Prelog (CIP) Priority Rules:

  • Priority of different groups in molecules that can display E-Z isomerism
  • The atom or group on each side of the double bond with the higher Ar or Mr is given the higher priority
  • These groups are used to determine if it is the E or Z isomer