Chemistry Unit 4 - Carbon Chemistry and Hydrocarbons

Practice flashcards covering carbon chemistry vocabulary, bond enthalpies, hydrocarbon classification, and IUPAC naming conventions based on the lecture notes.

Bond Enthalpy

The energy needed to pull the atoms of a covalent bond apart, measured in $kJ\,mol^{-1}$.

Bond Length

The distance between the nuclei of the atoms sharing electrons; shorter bonds are typically more difficult to break.

Hydrocarbon

Compounds that contain only Carbon and Hydrogen atoms.

Homologous series

Groups where each member differs by an added $(CH_2)$ group from the previous member and they share the same general formula.

Saturated

Describes hydrocarbons that contain only single bonds.

Unsaturated

Describes hydrocarbons that contain at least one double or triple bond.

Alkanes

Saturated hydrocarbons with the general chemical formula $C_nH_{2n+2}$.

Alkenes

Unsaturated hydrocarbons containing at least one double or triple Carbon to Carbon bond with the general chemical formula $C_nH_{2n}$.

Alkyl Groups

Functional groups found branched off chains longer than 3 carbons with the general formula $C_nH_{2n+1}$.

Skeletal Structures

A way of representing molecules where each bend and the ends of lines represent Carbon atoms.

Naming Stem: meth-

IUPAC prefix indicating the longest chain has $1$ carbon atom.

Naming Stem: eth-

IUPAC prefix indicating the longest chain has $2$ carbon atoms.

Naming Stem: prop-

IUPAC prefix indicating the longest chain has $3$ carbon atoms.

Naming Stem: but-

IUPAC prefix indicating the longest chain has $4$ carbon atoms.

Naming Stem: pent-

IUPAC prefix indicating the longest chain has $5$ carbon atoms.

Naming Stem: hex-

IUPAC prefix indicating the longest chain has $6$ carbon atoms.

Naming Stem: hept-

IUPAC prefix indicating the longest chain has $7$ carbon atoms.

Methyl

An alkyl group with the semi-structural formula $-CH_3$.

Ethyl

An alkyl group with the semi-structural formula $-CH_2CH_3$ or $-C_2H_5$.

Propyl

An alkyl group with the semi-structural formula $-CH_2CH_2CH_3$ or $-C_3H_7$.

Di-

A prefix used in naming when there are $2$ identical functional groups.

Tri-

A prefix used in naming when there are $3$ identical functional groups.

Tetra-

A prefix used in naming when there are $4$ identical functional groups.

Non-polar

The property of alkanes and alkenes that makes them attracted by weak dispersion forces and insoluble in water.