Organic Chemistry

organic chemistry

study of carbon, the compounds it makes, and hte reactions it undergoes

what are the five formulas in organic chemistry

molecular, empirical, structural, displayed, and skeletal

molecular formula

the exact number of atoms of each element present in the molecule (written in the subscript)

empirical formula

the simplest whole number ratio of atoms in the molecule (written in the subscript); ex. C2H5 could mean C4H10

structural formula

the minimal detail using conventional groups, for an unambiguous structure; ex. CH3CH2CH2CH3

displayed formula

shows both the relative placing of atoms and the number of bonds between them (basically lewis structure)

skeletal formula

shows a simplified organic formula by removing hydrogen

alkanes

hydrocarbon chains where all the bonds between carbons are single bonds; CnH2n+2

isomerism

where two or more compounds (isomers) have the same molecular formula but different arrangements (theres structural isomerism and stereoisomerism

what are the three types of structural isomerism

chain, positional, and functional isomerism

chain isomerism

the isomers differ specifically in the length of the main carbon chain and the placement of branches

positional isomerism

the isomers differ specifically in the position of the functional grop (like -OH or -Cl) or multiple bond (like C=C)

functional isomerism (or functional group isomerism)

the isomers differ specifically by their different functional groups

functional group

a specific atom or group of atoms responsible for the typical chemical reactions of a molecule

how to indicate that a substance is an alkane

use the suffix “-ane”

substituent

atom or group of atoms that replaces a hydrogen atom on a parent hydrocarbon chain or ring, acting as a “branch”

alkenes

have double bond between two or more of the carbons; are CnH2n

saturated hydrocarbons

have only single carbon-carbon bonds, holding the maximum number of hydrogen atoms, making them stable and less reactive; ex. alkanes

unsaturated hydrocarbons

have fewer hydrogens and extra bonds, making them more reactive and prone to addition reactions; ex. alkenes and alkynes

how to indicate that a substance is an alkene

use the suffix “-ene”