Organic Chemistry - Compounds

Q: What are hydrocarbons?

A: Organic compounds that contain only carbon and hydrogen atoms.

Q: What are the three main types of hydrocarbons?

A: Alkanes, Alkenes, and Alkynes.

Q: What are alkanes?

A: Compounds that contain only single bonds.

Q: Are alkanes saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbons?

A: Saturated hydrocarbons.

Q: What does "saturated" mean?

A: Each carbon is attached to as many atoms as possible.

Q: What is the general formula for an alkane?

A: CₙH₂ₙ₊₂

Q: What do all alkane names end with?

-ane

Q: What are the properties of alkanes?

A:

• Non-polar

• Not soluble in water

• Usually waxy

• Boiling/melting points increase with chain length

Q: What are substituent groups?

A: Groups of atoms that replace a hydrogen on a chain.

Q: What do alkenes contain?

A: At least one carbon–carbon double bond.

Q: Are alkenes saturated or unsaturated?

A: Unsaturated hydrocarbons.

Q: What does "unsaturated" mean?

A: Carbons are not bonded to the maximum number of atoms possible.

Q: What is the general formula for an alkene?

A: CₙH₂ₙ

Q: What are the properties of alkenes?

A:

• Non-polar

• Not soluble in water (but soluble in non-polar substances)

• Boiling/melting points depend on chain length

Q: What do alkynes contain?

A: At least one carbon–carbon triple bond.

Q: Are alkynes saturated or unsaturated?

A: Unsaturated hydrocarbons.

Q: What is the general formula for an alkyne?

A: CₙH₂ₙ₋₂

Q: What are the properties of alkynes?

A:

• Non-polar

• Not soluble in water

• Higher boiling points compared to alkanes and alkenes

What are cyclic hydrocarbons?

A: Hydrocarbon molecules that form rings.

Q: Can cyclic hydrocarbons be alkanes, alkenes, or alkynes?

A: Yes, they can be any of the three.

Q: Where are cyclic hydrocarbons found?

A: In many biological molecules, including hormones and steroids.

Q: What are some properties of cyclic hydrocarbons?

A: Some are insoluble, depending on the type of molecule.

Q: What are aromatic hydrocarbons?

A: Molecules with a ring structure derived from benzene.

Q: What is benzene?

A: A 6-carbon ring with alternating single and double bonds.

Q: What is the term for benzene’s alternating bonds?

A: Resonance.

Q: How can resonance be shown?

A: By drawing alternating single/double bonds or a circle in the center of the ring.

Q: Why does resonance occur?

A: Because electrons in the second bond are equally shared between each carbon.

Q: What does it mean when a compound has delocalized electrons?

A: The electrons move freely between atoms, making the compound very stable.

Q: What makes aromatic compounds stable?

A: Their delocalized electrons do not want to bond with other molecules.

Q: How do you name aromatic hydrocarbons if benzene is the longest chain?

A: Use “benzene” as the root name.

Q: How do you name aromatic hydrocarbons if benzene is not the longest chain?

phenyl