Organic Chemistry Fundamentals Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes covering organic chemistry formulas, homologous series, functional groups, and structural isomers.

Displayed formula

A formula that shows all the atoms of each element and all the bonds in the molecule.

Molecular formula of methane

$$CH_4$$

Hydrogen atom bond limit

Each hydrogen atom can only form 1 bond.

Carbon atom bond capacity

A carbon atom can form 4 bonds.

Displayed formula of methane ($CH_4$)

The structural representation showing one carbon atom connected to four hydrogen atoms via single bonds.

Molecular formula for ethanoic acid

$$CH_3COOH$$

Oxygen atom bond capacity

An oxygen atom can form 2 bonds.

Ethanoic acid components

Consists of hydrogen atoms (1 bond each), carbon atoms (4 bonds each), and oxygen atoms (2 bonds each).

General formula

A formula followed by all compounds in the same homologous series representing the composition of atoms in each molecule.

Alkanes general formula

$$C_nH_{2n+2}$$

Alkanes

A homologous series with the general formula $C_nH_{2n+2}$.

Molecular formula of an alkane with 5 carbon atoms

$$C_5H_{12}$$

Pentane

The name of the alkane with the molecular formula $C_5H_{12}$.

Calculation for hydrogen atoms in pentane

$2(5) + 2 = 12$ hydrogen atoms.

Alkenes general formula

$$C_nH_{2n}$$

Alkenes

A homologous series with the general formula $C_nH_{2n}$.

Molecular formula of an alkene with 4 carbon atoms

$$C_4H_8$$

Butene

The name of the alkene with the molecular formula $C_4H_8$.

Calculation for hydrogen atoms in butene

$2(4) = 8$ hydrogen atoms.

Alcohols general formula

$$C_nH_{2n+1}OH$$

Alcohols

A homologous series with the general formula $C_nH_{2n+1}OH$.

Molecular formula of an alcohol with 4 carbon atoms

$$C_4H_{9}OH$$

Butanol

The name of the alcohol with the molecular formula $C_4H_{9}OH$.

Calculation for hydrogen atoms in butanol (excluding hydroxyl)

$2(4) + 1 = 9$ hydrogen atoms.

Carboxylic acids general formula

$$C_nH_{2n+1}COOH$$

Carboxylic acids

A homologous series with the general formula $C_nH_{2n+1}COOH$.

Formula of a carboxylic acid with a total of 4 carbon atoms

$$C_3H_7COOH$$

Butanoic acid

The name for the carboxylic acid with the formula $C_3H_7COOH$, containing a total of 4 carbon atoms.

Functional group COOH in total carbon count

The COOH group contains one carbon atom, which must be included when determining if the total carbon count is 4 (leaving $n=3$).

Functional group

An atom or group of atoms that determine the chemical properties of a homologous series.

Hydroxyl group

The functional group of an alcohol, represented as $-OH$.

Homologous series

A family or group of similar compounds with similar chemical properties due to the presence of the same functional group.

Saturated compound

A molecule in which all carbon-carbon bonds are single bonds.

Example of saturated compounds

All alkanes are saturated compounds because they only have single carbon-carbon bonds.

Unsaturated compound

A molecule in which one or more carbon-carbon bonds are not single bonds (e.g., they contain double bonds).

Example of unsaturated compounds

Alkenes are unsaturated because they all have at least one double carbon-carbon bond.

Structural formula

An unambiguous description of the way the atoms in a molecule are arranged, showing their arrangement without every bond.

Structural formula of ethene

$$CH_2=CH_2$$

Molecular formula of ethene

$$C_2H_4$$

Structural formula of ethanol

$$CH_3CH_2OH$$

Molecular formula of ethanol

$$C_2H_5OH$$

Methyl ethanoate

An ester with the molecular formula $C_3H_6O_2$.

Structural formula of methyl ethanoate

$$CH_3COOCH_3$$

Structural isomers

Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulae.

Structural isomers of $C_4H_{10}$

Includes butane and 2-methylpropane.

Structural formula of butane

$$CH_3CH_2CH_2CH_3$$

Structural formula of 2-methylpropane

$$CH_3CH(CH_3)CH_3$$

Butane structure type

A straight chain molecule.

2-methylpropane structure type

A molecule with a side group (specifically a methyl group).

Methyl group

The side group found in the structural isomer 2-methylpropane.

Structural isomers of $C_4H_{8}$

Includes $CH_3CH_2CH=CH_2$ and $CH_3CH=CHCH_3$.

Primary difference in $C_4H_8$ isomers

Isomers differ in where the double bond lies in the structure.

Characteristics of a homologous series: Functional Group

All members have the same functional group.

Characteristics of a homologous series: General Formula

All members have the same general formula.

Characteristics of a homologous series: Incremental unit

Members differ from one to the next by a $-CH_2-$ unit.

Characteristics of a homologous series: Physical trend

Members display a trend in physical properties.

Characteristics of a homologous series: Chemical properties

Members share similar chemical properties.

$-CH_2-$ unit

The specific unit by which consecutive members of a homologous series differ.

Alkanes bonding type

Single carbon-carbon bonds.

Alkenes bonding type

Contain boat least one double carbon-carbon bond.

Carbon-Carbon single bond status

Indicates a saturated compound.

Non-single Carbon-Carbon bond status

Indicates an unsaturated compound.

Carbon atoms in butanoic acid total

4 carbon atoms.

Calculation of $n$ for butanoic acid using general formula

$n = 3$ (because the 4th carbon is part of the functional group $COOH$).

General formula of $C_nH_{2n+1}COOH$ with $n=3$

Results in $C_3H_7COOH$, which is butanoic acid.

Role of Oxygen in displayed formulas

Must be shown with exactly 2 bonds connected to other atoms.

Representing double bonds in structural formulas

The double bond is explicitly indicated, such as in $CH_2=CH_2$.

Straight chain vs branched chain

Describes the difference between structural isomers like butane (straight) and 2-methylpropane (side group/branched).

Composition of ethane structural formula

Two carbon atoms and four hydrogen atoms arranged as $CH_2=CH_2$.

Composition of methanol/ethanol structural formulae

Arrangements that include the $-OH$ hydroxyl group, such as $CH_3CH_2OH$ for ethanol.

Physical property trend

A general characteristic of members in a homologous series whereby properties like boiling point change predictably.

Similar chemical properties

Observed in homologous series because all members possess the same functional group.

$C_4H_8$ isomer: $CH_3CH_2CH=CH_2$

A structural isomer of butene where the double bond is between the first and second carbon.

$C_4H_8$ isomer: $CH_3CH=CHCH_3$

A structural isomer of butene where the double bond is between the middle two carbons.

Determining factors for chemical properties

The functional group (atom or group of atoms) determines these properties.

Displayed formula requirement: Hydrogen

Must show every single bond for each hydrogen atom.

Number of bonds in carbon in ethanoic acid

Every carbon atom in ethanoic acid ($CH_3COOH$) has 4 bonds.

Wait - total carbon count for Pentane

5 carbon atoms.

Wait - total carbon count for Butene

4 carbon atoms.

Wait - total carbon count for Butanol

4 carbon atoms.

$n$ value for pentane

$n = 5$, applied to the formula $C_nH_{2n+2}$.

$n$ value for butene

$n = 4$, applied to the formula $C_nH_{2n}$.

$n$ value for butanol

$n = 4$, applied to the formula $C_nH_{2n+1}OH$.

Unambiguous description of atoms

A key characteristic of a structural formula.

Arrangement without all bonds shown

Describes the notation used in a structural formula (e.g., $CH_3CH_2OH$).

Molecular formula of pentane

$$C_5H_{12}$$

Molecular formula of butene

$$C_4H_8$$

Molecular formula of butanol

$$C_4H_9OH$$

General formula of alcohols

$$C_nH_{2n+1}OH$$

General formula of alkenes

$$C_nH_{2n}$$

Relationship of butane and 2-methylpropane

They are structural isomers of $C_4H_{10}$.

Side group of 2-methylpropane

Methyl group ($CH_3$).

Straight chain isomer of $C_4H_{10}$

Butane ($CH_3CH_2CH_2CH_3$).

Bond type in alkanes vs alkenes

Alkanes only have carbon-carbon single bonds; alkenes have at least one carbon-carbon double bond.

Chemical properties determining atoms

Functional groups.

Composition of Methyl ethanoate

$$C_3H_6O_2$$

Difference between displayed and structural formulas

Displayed formulas show all bonds; structural formulas show the arrangement of atoms but not all individual bonds.

Wait - n in Alkane formula

Represents the number of carbon atoms.

Saturated state of Alkanes

They are saturated compounds because they lack carbon-carbon double bonds.

Unsaturated state of Alkenes

They are unsaturated compounds because they contain double carbon-carbon bonds.