Basic organic

• What is a hydrocarbon?

  A compound consisting of hydrogen and carbon only
• What does the molecular formula represent?


  The actual number of each type of atom in a compound
• What characterizes an unsaturated compound?

  It contains a C=C double bond
• What defines a saturated compound?

  It contains single carbon-carbon bonds only
• What is a general formula in organic chemistry?


  An algebraic formula for a homologous series, e.g., C$_nH_{2n}$
• What does the empirical formula represent?

  It shows the simplest whole number ratio of atoms of each element in the compound
• What is a displayed formula?

  • Shows all the covalent bonds present in a molecule
  • Used to illustrate the structure of organic compounds
• How should hydrogen atoms be added when drawing organic compounds?

  So that each carbon has 4 bonds
• What is the shape around the carbon atom in saturated hydrocarbons?

  The shape is tetrahedral with a bond angle of 109.5°
• What is a skeletal formula?


  • A simplified organic formula
  • Shows the carbon skeleton and associated functional groups
  • Hydrogen atoms are removed from alkyl chains
• What is a structural formula?


  • Shows the minimal detail of the arrangement of atoms in a molecule
  • Example for butane: CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₃ or CH₃(CH₂)₂CH₃
• What is an aliphatic compound?

  A compound containing carbon and hydrogen joined together in straight chains, branched chains, or non-aromatic rings
• What is an alicyclic compound?

  An aliphatic compound arranged in non-aromatic rings with or without side chains
• What characterizes an aromatic compound?

  A compound containing a benzene ring
• What is a homologous series?

  A family of organic compounds with the same functional group and same general formula
• What are the characteristics of a homologous series?

  • Gradual change in physical properties (e.g., boiling point)
  • Each member differs by CH$_2$ from the last
  • Same chemical properties
• What is a functional group?

  An atom or group of atoms that causes different molecules to have similar chemical properties
• What are the prefixes and suffixes for different functional groups?

  • Alkanes: suffix -ane
  • Alkenes: suffix -ene
  • Alcohols: suffix -ol, prefix hydroxy-
  • Haloalkanes: prefix chloro-, bromo-, iodo-
  • Aldehydes: suffix -al, prefix formyl-
  • Ketones: suffix -one, prefix oxo-
  • Carboxylic acids: suffix -oic acid
  • Esters: suffix -yl -oate
• What is the suffix for alcohols?

  • ol
• What is the suffix for aldehydes?

  • al
• What is the suffix for carboxylic acids?

  • oic acid
• How do you name a compound with more than one functional group?

  The highest precedence group takes the suffix, and all others take the prefix form
• What is the order of precedence for functional groups?

  1. Carboxylic acids
  2. Aldehydes
  3. Ketones
  4. Alcohols
  5. Alkenes
  6. Halogenoalkanes
• What are the codes for the number of carbons in a carbon chain?

  • 1: meth
  • 2: eth
  • 3: prop
  • 4: but
  • 5: pent
  • 6: hex
  • 7: hept
  • 8: oct
  • 9: non
  • 10: dec
• What are the general rules for naming carbon chains?

  • Count the longest carbon chain and name appropriately
  • Find any branched chains and count how many carbons they contain
  • Add the appropriate prefix for each branch chain
• How do you indicate the position of a functional group on a carbon chain?

  By using a number that gives the functional group the lowest number
• When do we include numbers in naming a compound?

  Only if they are needed to avoid ambiguity
• What are the rules for separating words and numbers in compound names?

  • Words are separated by numbers with dashes
  • Numbers are separated by commas
  • Groups are listed in alphabetical order (ignoring di, tri)
• What happens when a suffix starts with a vowel in naming?

  You remove the -e from the stem alkane name
• What happens when a suffix starts with a consonant or when using di or tri?

  You do not remove the -e from the stem alkane name
• How do functional groups affect numbering in naming compounds?

  Functional groups take precedence over branched chains in giving the lowest number
• How do you name a compound with multiple functional groups and a double bond?

  The double bond will be indicated with the lower number of the two carbons involved
• What does the prefix indicate in naming haloalkanes?


  The halogen is classified as a substituent on the carbon chain
• How are alcohols named when they have a higher priority functional group?

  The priority group gets the suffix, and the OH can be named with the prefix hydroxy-
• How do you name compounds with multiple -OH groups?

  You use di, tri, etc., and add the 'e' to the stem name
• How is the suffix -en used in naming alkenes?


  The suffix -en can go in front of other suffixes
• What takes precedence in naming when both alcohol and alkene groups are present?

  The alcohol and carboxylic acid groups have higher priority than the alkene group
• How do you indicate stereoisomerism in alkenes?

  You may include E or Z at the start of the name
• What suffix is used when more than one double bond is present in alkenes?

  The suffix ends in diene or triene
• What is the naming convention for alkenes with multiple double bonds?

  • The stem ends in -diene or -triene
  • Indicate the position of each double bond