Organic Chemistry Chapter 1 and Introductory Concepts

Vocabulary flashcards covering core organic chemistry concepts from the lecture, including neutral carbon bonding, degree of unsaturation, isomers, hybridization, reaction types, and atomic trends.

Neutral Carbon

A carbon atom with a formal charge of zero, which forms four covalent bonds and has a tetrahedral electron domain geometry.

Lewis Structure

A two-dimensional representation of molecular structure showing bonds and lone pairs, which does not display actual bond angles or three-dimensional geometry.

VSEPR Theory

Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion theory, a model used to determine molecular geometry by separating valence electron domains as far apart as possible.

Saturated Molecule

A hydrocarbon containing no rings, double bonds, or pi bonds, which fulfills the general molecular formula $C_n H_{2n+2}$.

Unsaturation Number

A value calculated by subtracting the number of given hydrogens from the hydrogens required for full saturation and dividing by $2$, indicating the total number of pi bonds or rings in a molecule.

Constitutional Isomers

Molecules that share the same molecular formula, such as $C_6 H_{12}$, but differ in the connectivity of their atoms.

Pi Bond ($\pi$ bond)

A type of covalent chemical bond formed by the side-by-side overlap of parallel $p$ orbitals.

Methylcyclopentane

A constitutional isomer of $C_6 H_{12}$ composed of a five-membered carbon ring attached to one methyl group ($\text{CH}_3$).

Substitution Reaction

A fundamental reaction type, central to Chapter 6, in which a species with a lone pair replaces another atom or group on a carbon atom.

Elimination Reaction

A fundamental reaction type, central to Chapter 7, in which elements are removed from adjacent carbon atoms to generate a double bond.

Octet Rule

The rule stating that main-group elements tend to bond in such a way that each atom achieves eight valence electrons, attaining the configuration of a noble gas.