basic stuff

Why does carbon form a large number of compounds? (3)

-          Bond to other carbon atoms to form long chains

-          Form single, double and triple bonds

-          Can form four covalent bonds to other atoms eg. Oxygen, nitrogen, halogens

Define hydrocarbon

A compound containing hydrogen and carbon atoms only

Define homologous series

Compounds with similar chemical properties whose successive members differ by a CH2 group

Define functional group

Part of the organic molecule which dictates its chemical properties

Define general formula

Simplest algebraic formula for any member of a homologous series

Alkanes general formula

CnH2n+2

Alkenes general formula

CnH2n

Alcohols general formula

CnH2n+1OH

Carboxylic acids general formula

CnH2nO2

Ketones general formula

CnH2nO

What does the intersection between two lines represent in the skeletal formula?

Carbon atom

What does the end of a line represent in the skeletal formula?

CH3 group

Define aliphatic

Carbon joined to each other in unbranched, branched or non-aromatic rings

Define alicyclic

Carbons joined to each other in rings (cyclic structures) with or without branches

Define aromatic

Some/all carbon atoms found in a benzene ring

Alkene functional group

c=c

alcohol functional group

O-H

Alcohol prefix

Hydroxy-

Alcohol suffix

-ol

Aldehyde functional group

Aldehyde suffix

-al

Ketone functional group

Ketone suffix

-one

Carboxylic acid functional group

Carboxylic acid suffix

-oic acid

Ester functional group

Ester suffix

-oate

Acyl chloride

Acyl chloride suffix

-oyl chloride

Amine functional group

-NH2

Amine prefix

Amino

Amine suffix

-amine

Nitrile functional group

-CN

Nitrile suffix

-nitrile

Define structural formula

The least amount of detail necessary to show the arrangement of the atoms in a molecule

Define unsaturated

Hydrocarbon containing c-c multiple bonds

Define skeletal formula

A simplified organic formula showing the carbon skeleton and any functional groups

Define displayed formula

Formula showing the relative positioning of all the atoms in a molecule and the bonds between them.