Organic Chemistry I: Hydrocarbons

Flashcards covering key concepts and vocabulary from Organic Chemistry I, focusing on hydrocarbons.

Organic Chemistry

The study of carbon compounds, excluding oxides of carbon and carbonates.

Hydrocarbons

Compounds made up of only carbon and hydrogen atoms.

Alkanes

A group of hydrocarbons with carbon atoms linked by single covalent bonds.

Alkenes

Hydrocarbons that contain at least one double bond between carbon atoms.

Alkynes

Hydrocarbons that contain a carbon-carbon triple bond.

Saturated

A term describing hydrocarbons that only contain single covalent bonds.

Isomer

Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulas.

Homologous series

A group of compounds with similar chemical properties and a gradual change in physical properties.

Cracking

A method of breaking long-chain alkanes into shorter alkanes and alkenes.

Functional group

An atom or group of atoms responsible for the characteristic reactions of a compound.

Nomenclature

The system of naming chemical compounds according to established rules.

Fractional distillation

A process used to separate mixtures based on differences in boiling points.

Hydrogenation

A chemical reaction where hydrogen is added to an unsaturated hydrocarbon.

Combustion

A chemical reaction where a hydrocarbon combines with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water.

Addition reaction

A reaction in which one substance combines with another to form a single product.

Polymerization

The process of combining many monomers to form a polymer.

Substitution reaction

A reaction where one atom or group in a molecule is replaced by another.

Catalytic cracking

A method of breaking down long-chain hydrocarbons using a catalyst at lower temperatures.

Thermal cracking

A method of breaking down long-chain hydrocarbons using high temperatures.

General formula for alkanes

$C_nH_{2n+2}$ where n is the number of carbon atoms.

General formula for alkenes

$C_nH_{2n}$ where n is the number of carbon atoms.

General formula for alkynes

$C_nH_{2n-2}$ where n is the number of carbon atoms.

Condensed structural formula

A depiction of how atoms are arranged in a molecule, showing how they are connected.

Vicosity

The measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow.