8B Organic Molecules

Vocabulary and key concepts from the lecture on organic chemistry, covering carbon bonding, nomenclature, and functional groups.

Organic molecules

Molecules that always contain carbon, are held together by strong bonds, are often large and complex, and are generally hydrophobic.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen using sunlight energy: $6 CO_2 + 6 H_2O + ext{sunlight (energy)} ightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6 O_2$.

Methane

The simplest organic compound, represented by the molecular formula $CH_4$.

Carbon covalent bonds

The phenomenon where carbon always forms $4$ covalent bonds and can join to itself to form long chains and rings.

Isomers

Two different structures for the same molecular formula, where atoms are bonded together in more than one arrangement.

Unsaturated compounds

Organic compounds that contain a double or triple bond between carbon atoms.

Saturated compounds

Organic compounds that have only single $C-C$ bonds.

Ethene

An unsaturated organic molecule containing a double covalent bond between two carbon atoms.

Ethyne

An unsaturated organic molecule containing a triple covalent bond between two carbon atoms.

Functional group

The part of a molecular structure that determines the specific properties of the organic compound.

Meth-

The prefix used in naming an organic molecule that contains $1$ carbon atom.

Eth-

The prefix used in naming an organic molecule that contains $2$ carbon atoms.

Prop-

The prefix used in naming an organic molecule that contains $3$ carbon atoms.

But-

The prefix used in naming an organic molecule that contains $4$ carbon atoms.

Alcohol

A functional group used in naming molecules such as methanol.

Carboxylic acids

A functional group used in naming molecules such as propanoic acid.

Amine

A functional group used in naming molecules such as butanamine.

Nitrogen and Phosphorus (N, P) bonding

Elements that typically form $3$ covalent bonds when reacting with carbon.

Oxygen and Sulfur (O, S) bonding

Elements that typically form $2$ covalent bonds when reacting with carbon.

Halogens and Hydrogen (H, F, Cl, Br, I) bonding

Elements that typically form $1$ covalent bond when reacting with carbon.