Organic Chemistry Key Concepts: Isomerism, Functional Groups, Hydrocarbons, and More

What is isomerism?

Isomerism is the phenomenon where compounds have the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements, including structural isomerism, geometric isomerism, and optical isomerism.

What are functional groups?

Functional groups are specific groups of atoms within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules.

What is a homologous series?

A homologous series is a group of organic compounds that have the same functional group and similar chemical properties but differ by a constant unit, typically a -CH2- group.

What are multiple bonds?

Multiple bonds refer to the presence of more than one bond between two atoms, such as double bonds (one sigma and one pi bond) and triple bonds (one sigma and two pi bonds).

What are hydrocarbons?

Hydrocarbons are organic compounds composed entirely of hydrogen and carbon atoms, including alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and arenes.

What are alkanes?

Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons that contain only single bonds between carbon atoms and follow the general formula CnH2n+2.

What are alkenes?

Alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons that contain at least one double bond between carbon atoms and follow the general formula CnH2n.

What are alkynes?

Alkynes are unsaturated hydrocarbons that contain at least one triple bond between carbon atoms and follow the general formula CnH2n-2.

What are arenes?

Arenes are aromatic hydrocarbons that contain one or more benzene rings in their structure.

What are halogenoalkanes?

Halogenoalkanes are organic compounds in which one or more hydrogen atoms in an alkane have been replaced by halogen atoms.

What are alcohols?

Alcohols are organic compounds that contain one or more hydroxyl (-OH) functional groups.

What are phenols?

Phenols are aromatic compounds that contain a hydroxyl (-OH) group directly bonded to a benzene ring.

What are ethers?

Ethers are organic compounds characterized by an oxygen atom connected to two alkyl or aryl groups.

What are aldehydes?

Aldehydes are organic compounds that contain a carbonyl group (C=O) with at least one hydrogen atom attached to the carbon atom.

What are ketones?

Ketones are organic compounds that contain a carbonyl group (C=O) bonded to two carbon atoms.

What are carboxylic acids?

Carboxylic acids are organic compounds that contain a carboxyl group (-COOH) and exhibit acidic properties.

What are esters?

Esters are organic compounds formed from the reaction of an alcohol and a carboxylic acid, characterized by the functional group -COO-.

What are amines?

Amines are organic compounds derived from ammonia by replacing one or more hydrogen atoms with alkyl or aryl groups.

What are amides?

Amides are organic compounds that contain a carbonyl group (C=O) bonded to a nitrogen atom.

What are amino acids?

Amino acids are organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins, containing both an amino group (-NH2) and a carboxyl group (-COOH).

What are carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates are organic compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, typically with a hydrogen to oxygen ratio of 2:1, and include monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides.

What are synthetic organic polymers?

Synthetic organic polymers are large molecules made up of repeating structural units, typically created through polymerization or polycondensation processes.