Basics in organic chemistry

• Molecular formula


  It provides the actual number of atoms of different elements in a molecule
• Structural formula


  It shows the arrangement of atoms in a molecule without showing every bond
• Aliphatic hydrocarbon


  Hydrocarbon with carbon atoms joined together in a straight line or branched chain
• Nomenclature


  The system used for naming organic compounds
• Homologous series

  A series of organic compounds having the same functional group but with each successive member differing by CH2
• Displayed formula

  It shows every atom and every bond in a molecule
• Functional group

  A group of atoms responsible for characteristic reactions of a compound
• Empirical formula

  Simplest whole number ratio of atoms in a molecule
• Skeletal formula


  A type of formula which is drawn as lines with each vertex being a carbon atom. Carbon atoms not drawn, assumed each C atom has all unspecified bonds as C-H
• Alicyclic hydrocarbon


  Hydrocarbons arranged in non-aromatic rings with or without side chains
• Aromatic hydrocarbon


  Hydrocarbon that contains at least one benzene ring
• Prefixes

  • CH3 group: methyl-
  • C2H5 group: ethyl-
  • C3H7 group: propyl-
  • C4H9 group: butyl-
  • Cl group: chloro-
  • Br group: bromo-
  • I group: iodo-
• Suffixes

  • No double bonds: -ane
  • At least one double bond: -ene
  • An alcohol: -ol
  • An aldehyde: -al
  • A ketone: -one
  • A carboxylic acid: -oic acid
• 3 ways in which structural isomers can be formed

  • Alkyl groups can be in different places
  • Functional groups can be bonded to different parts
  • There can be different functional groups
• Formation of a covalent bond from two radicals

  The radicals collide and the electrons are involved in the bond formation
• Deciding E and Z isomers

  1. If the two substituents with the highest molecular mass are on the same side of the double bond, it is the Z (zusammen) isomer

  2. If they are on different sides, it is the E (entgegen) isomer