organic chemistry

Why can carbon form so many compounds?

4 valence electrons → forms 4 covalent bonds; Can form chains, rings, double/triple bonds; Bonds with many non-metals (O, N, S, Cl); Forms stable C-C and C-H bonds; Can form isomers (chain, positional, functional)

What are the main types of isomerism in organic chemistry?

Chain isomers (branching); Positional isomers (different position of group); Functional group isomers (different groups)

General formula for alkanes and alkenes?

Alkanes: CₙH₂ₙ₊₂; Alkenes: CₙH₂ₙ

Suffixes for alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids?

Alcohols: -ol; Aldehydes: -al; Ketones: -one; Carboxylic acids: -oic acid

What determines the boiling point of organic compounds?

Type of intermolecular forces (H-bonding > dipole > dispersion); Molecular size and surface area (chain length, branching)

Which has a higher boiling point: alcohol or alkane of same mass?

Alcohol - due to hydrogen bonding

Describe a substitution reaction for alkanes

Alkane + Halogen → Haloalkane + HX (requires UV light)

Describe an addition reaction for alkenes

Alkene + X-Y → Haloalkane or Alcohol; e.g. +H₂ (Ni catalyst) → Alkane, +Br₂ → Dihaloalkane, +H₂O (H₃PO₄, 300°C) → Alcohol

How is an ester formed?

Alcohol + Carboxylic Acid → Ester + H₂O (requires H₂SO₄ + heat)

What are the products of ester hydrolysis with a base?

Alcohol + Carboxylate salt (e.g. sodium ethanoate)

What does a primary alcohol oxidise to?

Aldehyde → Carboxylic acid (using H⁺/Cr₂O₇²⁻ or MnO₄⁻)

Why don't tertiary alcohols oxidise easily?

No H on the carbon bonded to -OH, so no oxidation pathway

What is transesterification used for?

To produce biodiesel from triglycerides and methanol (KOH/NaOH catalyst)

What reaction forms proteins?

Condensation of amino acids forming peptide bonds (releases H₂O)

What is atom economy?

(mass of desired product / total mass of reactants) × 100

Name three principles of green chemistry

Use of renewable feedstocks; Use of catalysts; Design of safer chemicals