Functional Group definitions

Homologous Series

Homologous Series

Series of organic compounds with the same functional group but differing by a CH2 unit

Alkenes

Organic compounds with a C=C double bond, named by locating the double bond and giving it the lowest number

Nucleophilic Substitution

Reaction mechanism where a nucleophile replaces a leaving group in a molecule

Markovnikov’s Rule

In electrophilic addition, the more electronegative atom ends up on the carbon with fewer hydrogens

IR Spectroscopy

Technique that measures the absorption of infrared radiation by bonds in a molecule

Mass Spectrometry

Analytical technique that measures the mass-to-charge ratio of ions to determine molecular mass

'H NMR Spectrometry

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance technique that provides information about the number and environment of hydrogen atoms in a molecule

Organic chemistry

study of carbon-containing compounds

Alkanes

organic compounds that consist only of single-bonded carbon and hydrogen atoms

Alkynes

organic compound that contains at least one carbon—carbon triple bond

Alcohol

Organic compound with a hydroxyl (OH) functional group

Ether

organic compound that contains an oxygen atom bonded to two alkyl groups

Aldehyde

organic compound in that the carbonyl group is attached to a carbon atom at the end of a carbon chain

Ketone

organic compound that contains a carbonyl group in which the carbon atom is covalently bonded to an oxygen atom

Carboxylic Acid

organic compound that contains a carboxyl functional group

Ester

Organic compounds that contains an acid in which at least one hydroxyl group is replaced by an alkyl (alkoxy) group

Stereoisomers

Same structural formula but atoms are arranged differently in space

Cis

same side

Trans

Opposite side

Racemic mixture

Equimolar mixture of 2 enantiomers

Optical Isomers

When 4 different atoms/groups attached to a single carbon atom (Chiral)

Incomplete combustion

When oxygen supply is limited