Chapter 5 Notes

Alkane

Alkane

A type of organic molecule that contains only single carbon-carbon bonds.

Alkene

A type of organic molecule that contains a double carbon-carbon bond.

Alkyne

A type of organic molecule that contains a triple carbon-carbon bond.

Aromatic compound

A type of organic molecule that contains a benzene ring.

Alkyl halide

A type of organic molecule that contains a halogen atom bonded to an alkyl group.

Alcohol

A type of organic molecule that contains a hydroxyl group (-OH) bonded to an alkyl group.

Ether

A type of organic molecule that contains an oxygen atom bonded to two alkyl groups.

Amine

A type of organic molecule that contains a nitrogen atom bonded to one or more alkyl groups.

Thiol

A type of organic molecule that contains a sulfur atom bonded to an alkyl group.

Sulfide

A type of organic molecule that contains a sulfur atom bonded to two alkyl groups.

Nitrogen compound

A type of organic molecule that contains a nitrogen atom bonded to two oxygen atoms.

Aldehyde

A type of organic molecule that contains a carbonyl group (double bonded oxygen) at the end of a carbon chain.

Ketone

A type of organic molecule that contains a carbonyl group (double bonded oxygen) in the middle of a carbon chain.

Carboxylic Acid

A type of organic molecule that contains a carbonyl group (double bonded oxygen) and a hydroxyl group (-OH) bonded to the same carbon atom.

Ester

A type of organic molecule that contains a carbonyl group (double bonded oxygen) and an ether (oxygen link) group.

Amide

A type of organic molecule that contains a carbonyl group (double bonded oxygen) and a nitrogen group bonded to the same carbon atom.

Infrared Spectroscopy

A technique that uses infrared light to study the vibrations of molecules.

Energy Absorption

The process by which molecules absorb energy from infrared light.

Wavenumber

A unit used to measure the frequency of infrared light absorbed by molecules.

Stretching Vibrations

Vibrations in which the bonds in a molecule stretch.

Bending Vibrations

Vibrations in which the bonds in a molecule bend.

Fingerprint Region

A region in the infrared spectrum that contains a complex pattern unique to each compound.

Functional Group Region

A region in the infrared spectrum that is useful for identifying functional groups in a molecule.

Harmonic Oscillator

A model used to describe the vibrations of molecular bonds.

Alkanes

Saturated hydrocarbons that contain only single bonds.

Constitutional Isomers

Molecules with the same molecular formula but different bonding sequences.

3D Structures

Different spatial arrangements of atoms in a molecule.

Chair Conformation

A stable conformation of cyclohexane in which all carbon-hydrogen bonds are staggered.

Axial Substituents

Substituents that point straight up or down in a chair conformation of cyclohexane.

Equatorial Substituents

Substituents that point laterally (outward) in a chair conformation of cyclohexane.

Cis/Trans Isomers

Isomers that have different positions of non-hydrogen substituents on different carbons in a molecule.

Alkenes

Unsaturated hydrocarbons that contain one or more double bonds.

Alkynes

Unsaturated hydrocarbons that contain one or more triple bonds.

Enantiomers

Molecules that are mirror images of each other and cannot be superimposed.

Stereocenters

Atoms bonded to four different groups in a tetrahedral geometry.

Fisher Projections

A way to represent the 3D structure of molecules on a flat surface.

R & S Designation

A way to assign the configuration of chiral molecules based on priority groups.

Chirality in Biomolecules

Many physiologically active molecules exist as enantiomers.

Number of Stereoisomers

The maximum number of stereoisomers in a molecule with n stereocenters is 2^n.

Plane-Polarized Light

Light in which all waves oscillate in the same plane.

Optical Activity

The ability of chiral molecules to rotate the plane of polarization of light.

D/L Nomenclature

A way to designate the configuration of chiral molecules based on the orientation of groups in a Fisher projection.