Yr 2 - Organic Chemistry

Carbonyl Group

A functional group characterized by a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom (C=O), found in compounds like aldehydes and ketones.

Boiling Point of Carbonyl Compounds

Higher than alkanes but lower than compounds with hydrogen bonds due to the polar nature of the carbonyl group.

Hydrogen Bonding in Carbonyl Compounds

Shorter chain carbonyl compounds can mix with water because the polar carbonyl oxygen can form hydrogen bonds with water.

Reactivity of C=O Bond

Highly reactive due to the significant difference in electronegativity between carbon and oxygen, making carbon slightly positive.

Carboxylic Acid

Contains a carbonyl group and a hydroxy group; the hydroxyl group in carboxylic acids is more acidic than in alcohols.

Ester Functional Group

Characterized by the COO group, formed from the OH of an alcohol and the H from a carboxylic acid.

Formation of Esters

Requires a strong acid catalyst and involves a reversible reaction between carboxylic acids and alcohols.

Acid Hydrolysis of Esters

Reacting esters with acids to yield carboxylic acids and alcohols.

Base Hydrolysis of Esters

Leads to the formation of salts instead of the acid itself, driving the reaction to completion.

Uses of Esters

Present in fats and oils, reacting glycerol and fatty acids to form ester bonds and used in various applications like food industry and soaps.

Acylation

The process of introducing an acyl group into another molecule.

Acid Anhydrides

Formed when two acyl (carbonyl) groups are bonded to the same oxygen atom, used in various synthetic reactions.

Nucleophiles

Reactants that donate an electron pair to form a chemical bond; examples include amines, water, and alcohols.

Acyl Chlorides vs Acid Anhydrides

Acyl chlorides are more reactive and corrosive, producing HCl as a by-product; acid anhydrides are safer and cheaper.

Amines

Organic compounds derived from ammonia by replacing one or more hydrogen atoms with alkyl groups.

Basic Strength of Amines

Increases with more alkyl groups due to the positive inductive effect, enhancing the nitrogen's ability to accept protons.

Primary Amines

Formed through nucleophilic substitution of halogenoalkanes and ammonia.

Polymeric Esters

Formed when dicarboxylic acids and diols undergo condensation reactions, producing water.

DNA Structure

Characterized by a double helix shape with a phosphodiester backbone formed through condensation reactions and nitrogenous base pairs.

Enzyme Action

Biological catalysts that speed up reactions through a lock-and-key model, with specific interactions with substrates.

Cisplatin

An anti-cancer drug that works by forming bonds with DNA bases through ligand substitution, preventing cell division.

Zwitterion

A molecule that has both positive and negative charges but is overall electrically neutral, as seen in amino acids.