Organic Chemistry Chapter 2: Molecular Representations and Functional Groups

This deck contains key vocabulary terms and definitions related to molecular representations and functional groups in organic chemistry.

Molecular Formula

A representation that shows the number and type of atoms in a molecule but does not indicate the structure.

Bond-Line Structure

A simplified representation of a molecule that shows the connectivity of atoms without explicit hydrogen atoms; corners and ends represent carbon atoms.

Functional Groups

Specific groups of atoms within molecules that have characteristic properties and reactions.

Carbonyl

A functional group consisting of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom.

Condensed Formula

A way of drawing the structure of a molecule that groups atoms together, often not showing all bonds explicitly.

Octet Rule

The principle that atoms tend to form bonds until they are surrounded by eight valence electrons.

Resonance

A concept where a molecule or ion can be represented by two or more valid Lewis structures, and the actual structure is an average of these.

Lone Pair

A pair of valence electrons that are not shared with another atom.

Curved Arrows

Symbols used to indicate the movement of electrons in resonance structures and during chemical reactions.

Hydrogen Atoms in Bond-Line Structures

Hydrogens attached to carbon atoms are often not drawn; their presence is implied to complete the carbon’s bonds.

Carbocation

A positively charged carbon atom that has only three bonds instead of four.

Carbanion

A negatively charged carbon atom that has a lone pair of electrons.

Delocalized Electrons

Electrons that are spread over multiple atoms, typically seen in resonance structures.

Localized Lone Pair

A lone pair of electrons that cannot participate in resonance, typically because there are no adjacent p-orbitals.

Hybridization

The concept of mixing atomic orbitals to form new hybrid orbitals suitable for the pairing of electrons to form chemical bonds.