OCR (A) Chemistry A-Level: Module 4 - Core Organic Chemistry

Vocabulary flashcards covering essential terms and definitions from OCR (A) Chemistry A-Level Module 4 on Core Organic Chemistry.

Alicyclic

An aliphatic compound arranged in non-aromatic rings.

Aliphatic

A compound containing carbon and hydrogen joined in straight or branched chains or non-aromatic rings.

Alkane

A homologous series with the general formula CnH2n+2.

Alkyl

A group with the general formula CnH2n+1.

Aromatic

An organic compound containing a benzene ring.

Curly Arrow

A symbol that shows the movement of a pair of electrons.

Dipole

A partial charge on an atom caused by differing electronegativities in a covalent bond.

Displayed Formula

Represents the relative positions of atoms and bonds between them.

Empirical Formula

The simplest whole number ratio of atoms of each element in a compound.

Functional Group

A group of atoms responsible for the characteristic reactions of a compound.

General Formula

The simplest algebraic formula of a member of a homologous series.

Heterolytic Fission

When a covalent bond breaks, one atom receives both electrons from the bond.

Homologous Series

A series of organic compounds with the same functional group differing by -CH2.

Homolytic Fission

When a covalent bond breaks, each atom receives one electron, forming two radicals.

IUPAC

International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry.

Molecular Formula

Specifies the number and type of atoms in a molecule.

Nomenclature

The naming system for chemical compounds.

Organic Compound

A carbon-containing chemical compound.

Radical

A species with an unpaired electron.

Reaction Mechanism

A series of steps that represent the overall reaction, showing bond breaking and forming.

Saturated

An organic compound containing only C-C single bonds.

Skeletal Formula

A simplified organic formula, showing the carbon skeleton and functional groups.

Structural Formula

Minimal detail showing the arrangement of atoms in a molecule.

Structural Isomers

Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulae.

Unsaturated

An organic compound containing at least one C=C double bond, a C≡C triple bond, or an aromatic ring.

σ-bond

A type of covalent bond formed by head-on orbital overlap.

Boiling point

The temperature at which a liquid boils and becomes gas.

Bond Enthalpy

The energy required to break one mole of gaseous bonds.

Complete Combustion

The process of burning a compound in a plentiful supply of oxygen.

Covalent Bond

A strong bond formed through electrostatic attraction between atoms sharing electrons.

Electron Pair Repulsion

The phenomenon where electron pairs around a nucleus repel each other.

Hydrocarbon

A compound comprised exclusively of hydrogen and carbon.

Incomplete Combustion

Burning a compound in a limited supply of oxygen, potentially producing water and carbon monoxide.

Initiation

The first step in a radical substitution mechanism forming radicals.

London Forces

Induced interactions caused by temporary dipoles in molecules.

Polar Bond

A covalent bond with a permanent dipole due to varying electronegativities of bonded atoms.

Propagation

Intermediate steps in a radical substitution mechanism where a radical reacts with another species.

Radical Substitution

A substitution reaction where a radical replaces an atom/group in a compound.

Termination

The final steps in a radical substitution where two radicals react to form a stable species.

Tetrahedral

The shape of a molecule with 4 bonding pairs of electrons around a central atom.

π-bond

A covalent bond formed by sideways overlap of adjacent p orbitals.

Addition Polymerisation

Formation of a long chain molecule from many monomers.

Addition Reaction

A reaction where molecules combine to produce a single product.

Alkene

An organic compound containing at least one C=C double bond.

Biodegradable

A substance that can be broken down by living organisms.

Cahn-Ingold-Prelog (CIP) Priority Rules

Rules to identify E or Z stereoisomers based on substituent priority.

Catalyst

A substance that increases the reaction rate without being consumed.

Cis-Trans Isomerism

A type of isomerism based on substituent positions relative to a double bond.

Electrophile

An electron pair acceptor.

Electrophilic addition

A reaction where a π bond is broken, forming new σ bonds.

E/Z Isomerism

Stereoisomerism caused by restricted rotation of π bonds.

Heterolytic Fission

When a covalent bond breaks and one atom takes both bonding electrons.

Markownikoff’s Rule

Predicts major products of addition reactions involving unsymmetrical alkenes.

Monomer

A small molecule that combines to form a polymer.

Photodegradable

A substance that can be broken down by light exposure.

Polymer

A large molecule formed from many repeating units.

Repeat Unit

A structure that repeats in a polymer.

Primary Carbocation

A molecule with a positively charged carbon attached to one alkyl group.

Secondary Carbocation

A molecule where the positively charged carbon is attached to two alkyl groups.

Tertiary Carbocation

A molecule with a positively charged carbon attached to three alkyl groups.

Stereoisomers

Compounds with the same structural formula but different spatial arrangements.

Alcohol

An organic compound containing an OH functional group.

Aldehyde

An organic compound containing the -CHO functional group.

Carboxylic Acid

An organic compound containing the -COOH functional group.

Combustion

A rapid exothermic reaction with oxygen.

Elimination

Reaction where two atoms/groups are removed from a molecule.

Haloalkanes

An organic compound with a halogen atom bonded to an alkyl chain.

Ketone

An organic compound with a C=O functional group in the chain.

Oxidation

The loss of electrons or increase in oxidation number.

Oxidising Agent

A substance that oxidizes another species while being reduced.

Primary Alcohol

An alcohol with the OH group attached to a primary carbon.

Secondary Alcohol

An alcohol with the OH group attached to a secondary carbon.

Tertiary Alcohol

An alcohol with the OH group attached to a tertiary carbon.

CFC

Compounds of carbon, fluorine, and chlorine, used as refrigerants.

Hydrolysis

The breakdown of a compound due to reaction with water.

Nucleophile

An electron pair donor.

Nucleophilic Substitution

A reaction where an electron pair donor replaces an atom/group.

Ozone

A molecule composed of three oxygen atoms that absorbs UV light.

Radical

A species with an unpaired electron.

Substitution

A reaction where one atom/group replaces another.

Anhydrous Salt

A salt used to remove traces of water from organic solutions.

Distillation

A technique to separate components based on boiling point.

Quickfit Apparatus

Flexible glassware for various chemical arrangements.

Redistillation

Purification technique employing multiple distillations.

Reflux

Continuous boiling and condensing of a reaction mixture.

Separating Funnel

Apparatus for purifying organic liquids by separating layers.

Synthetic Route

A series of steps to synthesize a specific compound.

Elemental Analysis

Determines the composition of elements in a compound.

Fragmentation

Process in mass spectrometry where molecular ions break down.

Fragment Ions

Smaller ions formed from the fragmentation of molecular ions.

Infrared Radiation

Electromagnetic radiation absorbed by covalent bonds.

Infrared Spectroscopy

Techniques used to identify bonds and functional groups in molecules.

M+1 Peak

Small peak in mass spectrum indicating presence of carbon-13.

M/Z Ratio

Mass-to-charge ratio on a mass spectrum.

Mass spectrometry

Technique for identifying compounds and determining molecular mass.

Molecular Ion Peak

Peak in mass spectrum representing the highest m/z value.

Molecular Mass

Total number of atoms of each element in a molecular compound.