Organic Chem - Gr 12

Hydrocarbons

Organic compounds composed exclusively of carbon and hydrogen atoms.

Alkanes

Saturated hydrocarbons containing only single carbon-carbon bonds ($C-C$).

General formula for acyclic alkanes

$$C_n H_{2n+2}$$

IUPAC suffix for alkanes

-ane

Alkenes

Unsaturated hydrocarbons containing at least one carbon-carbon double bond ($C=C$).

General formula for acyclic alkenes with one double bond

$$C_n H_{2n}$$

IUPAC suffix for alkenes

-ene

Alkynes

Unsaturated hydrocarbons containing at least one carbon-carbon triple bond ($C\equiv C$).

General formula for acyclic alkynes with one triple bond

$$C_n H_{2n-2}$$

IUPAC suffix for alkynes

-yne

Saturated vs. unsaturated hydrocarbons

Saturated hydrocarbons contain only single carbon-carbon bonds, whereas unsaturated hydrocarbons contain at least one double or triple bond.

Geometry and bond angle around an alkane carbon

Tetrahedral with bond angles of approximately $109.5^\circ$.

Geometry and bond angle around an alkene carbon

Trigonal planar with bond angles of approximately $120^\circ$.

Geometry and bond angle around an alkyne carbon

Linear with bond angles of approximately $180^\circ$.

First four alkane prefixes (1 to 4 carbons)

Meth- ($1$ carbon), eth- ($2$ carbons), prop- ($3$ carbons), and but- ($4$ carbons).

Alkyl group

A substituent formed by removing one hydrogen atom from an alkane; designated by the suffix -yl.

Constitutional (structural) isomers

Compounds that share the same molecular formula but have different connectivities of atoms.

Stereoisomers

Compounds that share the same molecular formula and connectivity but differ in their three-dimensional spatial arrangement.

Structural requirements for alkene cis-trans isomerism

Restricted rotation around the double bond and two different groups attached to each double-bonded carbon.

Cis- vs. trans- isomers

In cis-isomers, matching groups are situated on the same side of a double bond; in trans-isomers, they are on opposite sides.

Chiral carbon

A carbon atom bonded to four distinct atoms or groups.

Benzene molecular formula and structure

$C_6 H_6$; a planar, hexagonal ring of six carbon atoms with delocalized $\pi$ electrons.

Ortho-, meta-, and para- positions

Disubstitution patterns on a benzene ring: ortho- corresponds to $1,2$, meta- corresponds to $1,3$, and para- corresponds to $1,4$.

Alcohol functional group and suffix

Hydroxyl group ($-OH$) with the IUPAC suffix -ol.

Ether functional group and general structure

An oxygen atom bonded between two alkyl or aryl groups, represented as $R-O-R'$.

Aldehyde functional group and suffix

A carbonyl group bonded to at least one hydrogen at the chain terminus ($-CHO$) with the IUPAC suffix -al.

Ketone functional group and suffix

A carbonyl group ($C=O$) situated between two carbon groups ($R-CO-R'$) with the IUPAC suffix -one.

Carboxylic acid functional group and suffix

Carboxyl group ($-COOH$) with the IUPAC suffix -oic acid.

Ester linkage and IUPAC nomenclature format

An ester linkage ($-COO-$) connecting two carbon groups; named systematically as alkyl alkanoate.

Esterification

A condensation reaction between a carboxylic acid and an alcohol producing an ester and water, typically catalyzed by concentrated $H_2 SO_4$.

Amine vs. amide functional groups

Amines contain a nitrogen atom bonded to carbon or hydrogen chains ($R-NH_2$), whereas amides feature a nitrogen atom directly bonded to a carbonyl carbon ($R-CONH_2$).

Alkyl halide (haloalkane)

An organic compound in which one or more hydrogen atoms in a hydrocarbon are replaced by halogen atoms ($R-X$).

Addition reaction

A reaction where atoms or groups are added across a multiple bond, transforming double or triple bonds into single bonds.

Elimination reaction

A reaction in which atoms or groups are removed from adjacent carbons in a molecule, resulting in the formation of a multiple bond.

Polymerization

A chemical process wherein many small monomer units join covalently to form a large chain-like macromolecule.