4.1.1: Basics of Org Chem

• What are the types of formulas discussed in organic chemistry?

  • General formula
  • Molecular formula
  • Empirical formula
  • Structural formula
  • Skeletal formula
  • Displayed formula
• What is the general formula for alkanes?


  $C_nH_{2n+2}$ where n is the number of carbons
• What does the molecular formula represent?


  The actual number of atoms in a molecule or element
• What is the molecular formula for ethane?


  $C_2H_6$
• What is an empirical formula?

  The simplest whole number ratio of atoms in a compound
• What is the empirical formula for ethane, which has a molecular formula of $C_2H_6$?


  $CH_3$
• What does a structural formula show?


  The arrangement of atoms in a molecule without showing all the bonds
• What is the structural formula for butan-1-ol?


  $CH_3CH_2CH_2CH_2OH$
• What is a skeletal formula?

  A representation showing the bonds of the carbon skeleton only
• How are hydrogen and carbon atoms represented in a skeletal formula?

  Hydrogen and carbon atoms are not shown
• What is the displayed formula?

  A formula that shows the arrangement of atoms showing all the bonds in a molecule
• What is the displayed formula for 2-chloropropane?

  $CH_3CHClCH_3$
• What is a homologous series in organic chemistry?

  • A group of compounds with the same functional group
  • They share the same general formula
  • Successive members differ by $CH_2$
• What is the general formula for alkenes?

  $C_nH_{2n}$ where n is the number of carbon atoms
• What is the molecular formula of an alkene with 23 carbon atoms?


  $C_{23}H_{46}$
• How do successive members of the same homologous series differ?

  They increase by $CH_2$
• What is the general formula for alcohols?


  $C_nH_{2n+1}OH$
• What is the suffix for alkanes?

  • ane
• What is an example of an alkane?

  Butane
• What is the suffix for alkenes?


  • ene
• What is an example of an alkene?

  Propene
• What is the suffix for alcohols?

  • ol
• What is an example of an alcohol?

  Ethanol
• What is the suffix for aldehydes?

  • al
• What is an example of an aldehyde?


  Propanal
• What is the suffix for ketones?


  • one
• What is an example of a ketone?


  Propanone
• What is the suffix for carboxylic acids?

  • oic acid
• What is an example of a carboxylic acid?

  Butanoic acid
• What is the prefix for halogenoalkanes?

  Fluoro-, Chloro-, Bromo-, Iodo-
• What is an example of a halogenoalkane?

  Bromoethane
• What distinguishes aromatic compounds from aliphatic compounds?

  Aromatic compounds contain a benzene ring
• What is an example of an aromatic compound?

  Benzene
• What are aliphatic compounds?

  Compounds that are straight or branched chains, not in a ring
• What is an example of an aliphatic compound?

  Butene
• What are the two types of carbon skeletons in organic chemistry?

  • Aromatic: Contains a benzene ring
  • Aliphatic: Straight or branched chains, not in a ring
• What are alicyclic compounds?

  Rings that are not aromatic
• What is the global language of chemistry?

  IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)
• What are the steps to name a molecule according to IUPAC rules?

  1. Find the longest continuous chain of carbons
  2. Identify the functional group and its suffix
  3. Number the carbon chain to give the functional group the lowest number
  4. Note the carbon number the functional group is attached to
  5. Write side chains and less important functional groups as prefixes in alphabetical order
  6. Use prefixes like di-, tri-, or tetra- for identical functional groups
• If the longest carbon chain in a molecule is four, what is the stem name?

  But