CHM 111 Unit 1 Organic Chemistry Foundations Flashcards

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering atomic structure, bonding, VSEPR geometry, functional groups, alkanes, line structures, isomers, IUPAC rules, and reactions for CHM 111 Unit 1.

Proton ($p^+$)

A positively charged subatomic particle located in the nucleus of an atom.

Neutron ($n^0$)

A neutral subatomic particle with no charge located in the nucleus of an atom.

Electron ($e^-$)

A negatively charged subatomic particle located outside the nucleus of an atom.

Atomic Number

The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, defined as $\text{Atomic Number} = \text{Protons}$.

Mass Number

The total number of protons and neutrons in an atom, defined as $\text{Mass Number} = \text{Protons} + \text{Neutrons}$.

Cation

A positively charged ion formed when a neutral atom loses electrons.

Anion

A negatively charged ion formed when a neutral atom gains electrons.

Valence Electrons

Electrons in the outermost energy level of an atom that determine bonding, reactivity, and stability.

Carbon Rule

The essential organic chemistry rule stating that carbon requires 4 bonds, defined as $\text{Carbon Bonds} + \text{Hydrogens} = 4$.

VSEPR Theory

Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion theory, which states that electron groups repel each other and spread apart to determine molecular shape.

VSEPR Molecular Geometry Table

Summary of molecular geometries based on electron regions: 2 regions is Linear ($180^\bullet$), 3 regions is Trigonal Planar ($120^\bullet$), and 4 regions is Tetrahedral ($109.5^\bullet$).

Electronegativity

An atom's attraction for electrons in a chemical bond, producing partial positive ($\\text{d}^+$) and partial negative ($\\text{d}^-$) charges.

Like Dissolves Like

The solubility rule stating that polar solvents dissolve polar solutes and nonpolar solvents dissolve nonpolar solutes.

Functional Group

A specific arrangement of atoms in an organic molecule that controls its chemical properties and reactivity.

Functional Groups Reference Table

Reference guide listing organic chemical families, structural features, and IUPAC suffixes.

Hydrocarbon

An organic compound containing only carbon and hydrogen atoms.

Alkane

A saturated hydrocarbon containing only single carbon-carbon bonds ($C-C$) with the general formula $C_n H_{2n+2}$.

First Three Alkanes Table

Table showing the IUPAC names, carbon roots, and formulas for 1 to 3 carbon alkanes: Methane ($CH_4$), Ethane ($C_2 H_6$), and Propane ($C_3 H_8$).

Alkanes (4 to 10 Carbons) Table

Table showing roots, names, and formulas for alkanes with 4 to 10 carbons: Butane ($C_4 H_{10}$), Pentane ($C_5 H_{12}$), Hexane ($C_6 H_{14}$), Heptane ($C_7 H_{16}$), Octane ($C_8 H_{18}$), Nonane ($C_9 H_{20}$), and Decane ($C_{10} H_{22}$).

Skeletal (Line-Angle) Structure

A molecular drawing format where lines represent bonds, vertices/endpoints represent carbon atoms, and hydrogen atoms attached to carbons are implicit.

Hidden Hydrogens Rule

A relationship determining implicit hydrogens in line structures using tetravalence: $\text{Hydrogens Needed} = 4 - \text{Bonds Already Shown}$.

Constitutional Isomers

Compounds that have the same molecular formula but different atomic connectivity.

IUPAC Repeated Substituent Prefixes Table

Prefixes used to specify multiple identical substituent groups in IUPAC nomenclature: 2 ($\text{di}$), 3 ($\text{tri}$), 4 ($\text{tetra}$), 5 ($\text{penta}$), and 6 ($\text{hexa}$).

Cycloalkane

A saturated hydrocarbon forming a ring structure with the general formula $C_n H_{2n}$.

Conformation

Different three-dimensional spatial arrangements formed by rotation around single bonds without breaking any chemical bonds.

Chair Conformation

The most stable ring shape of cyclohexane in which bond angles remain near $109.5^\bullet$, minimizing strain.

Axial vs. Equatorial

Positions on a chair conformation: axial bonds point vertically up or down relative to the axis, while equatorial bonds extend outward around the equator.

Cis vs. Trans Isomers

Stereoisomer designations where cis indicates substituents on the same side (both wedges or dashes) and trans indicates substituents on opposite sides (one wedge, one dash).

Constitutional Isomers vs. Stereoisomers Comparison Table

Comparison showing that constitutional isomers have different connectivity, whereas stereoisomers have the same connectivity but differ in 3D spatial arrangement.

Combustion Reaction (Alkanes)

A reaction where a hydrocarbon reacts with $O_2$ to produce $CO_2$ and $H_2O$, releasing energy.

Halogenation Reaction (Alkanes)

A substitution reaction where an alkane reacts with $Cl_2$ or $Br_2$, replacing a hydrogen atom with a halogen atom.