Organic Chemistry

Hydrocarbons

Compounds that contain only hydrogen and carbon.

Saturated Hydrocarbons

Compounds of carbon and hydrogen that have only carbon-carbon single bonds. They belong to a Homologous Series called the Alkanes (C_nH_2n+2)

Alkyl Groups

Alkanes with one hydrogen atom removed, often found in organic molecules (C_nH_2n+1).

Homologous Series

A group of organic compounds whose members differ by one CH₂ unit.

Unsaturated Hydrocarbons

Compounds of carbon and hydrogen that contain at least one carbon-carbon double bond or a carbon-carbon triple bond.

Alkenes

A homologous series of hydrocarbons with a double bond (C_nH_2n)

Alkynes

A homologous series of hydrocarbons with a triple bond (C_nH_2n-2)

Nominal Distinctions between Homologous Serieses

ALKANE > -ane (e.g. methane) ALKYL > -yl (e.g. methyl)

ALKENE > -ene (e.g. ethene) ALKYNE > -yne (e.g. ethyne)

Functional Group

An atom or group of atoms that determine the properties of a molecule (e.g. OH > Alcohol)

Isomers

Compounds that have the same molecular formula, but differ in the way the atoms are arranged.

Structural Isomers

Isomers that differ in the way the atoms are bonded to each other.

Stereoisomers

Connected in the same order, but the orientation in space of some of the atoms are different. Some unsaturated compounds form a type of stereoisomer called a geometric isomer. These isomers have the same molecular formula but different oreintations.