Organic Chemistry Basics

Vocabulary flashcards for Organic Chemistry revision notes, covering naming compounds, representing molecules, functional groups, isomerism, and reaction mechanisms.

Alkanes

A class of saturated hydrocarbons forming the basis of naming organic compounds.

Stem

The part of the organic compound name indicating the number of carbon atoms present in the main chain.

Prefixes (di-, tri-, tetra-)

Prefixes used to indicate the number of identical side chains in an organic compound name (e.g., di- for two, tri- for three).

Suffix -yl

The suffix added to a side chain name (alkyl group) in organic nomenclature.

General formula

The algebraic formula representing a homologous series.

Structural formula

A formula showing the atoms bonded to each carbon atom in a molecule.

Displayed formula

A formula showing all the bonds within a molecule, including individual hydrogen bonds.

Skeletal formula

A simplified version of the displayed formula where carbon-hydrogen bonds are not explicitly shown.

Functional group

A specific atom or group of atoms within a molecule that is responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of that molecule.

Homologous series

A series of organic compounds with the same functional group, each successive member differing by -CH2.

Aliphatic

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

Alicyclic

A compound arranged in non-aromatic rings with or without side chains; both aliphatic and cyclic.

Aromatic

A compound containing a benzene ring.

Saturated hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons with only single carbon-carbon bonds.

Unsaturated hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons containing aromatic rings, double, or triple carbon-carbon bonds.

Structural isomers

Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulas.

Position isomers

Isomers where the position of the functional group varies.

Functional group isomers

Isomers with different functional groups for the same molecular formula.

Chain isomers

Isomers differing in the structure of their carbon 'skeleton'.

Reaction mechanism

A series of steps summarizing the overall reaction.

Homolytic fission

The breaking of a covalent bond where each electron in the shared pair leaves with an atom that formed the covalent bond.

Free radicals

Species with an unpaired electron, highly reactive.

Heterolytic fission

Bond breaking where the most electronegative atom takes the electrons in the covalent bond.