Organic Chemistry

Organic Chemistry

The chemistry of carbon compounds, including those with hydrogen and sometimes other elements.

Hydrocarbons

Compounds made up solely of hydrogen and carbon atoms, commonly found in fossil fuels; generally non-polar molecules.

Alkane

A type of hydrocarbon with only single bonds between carbon atoms, represented by the formula CnH2n+2.

Alkene

A hydrocarbon that contains at least one double bond between carbon atoms; classified as unsaturated.

Alkyne

A hydrocarbon containing at least one triple bond between carbon atoms; also classified as unsaturated.

Cyclic Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons where carbon atoms are arranged in a closed ring structure.

Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons based on a benzene ring; exhibit unique properties and tend to have distinct odors.

Isomers

Compounds with the same chemical formula but different structures or spatial arrangements.

Functional Groups

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

Alcohols

Organic compounds containing a hydroxyl (-OH) group; named by replacing the 'e' in the parent hydrocarbon with '-ol'.

Ethers

Compounds formed by two hydrocarbon groups bonded to an oxygen atom; named by the smaller hydrocarbon group first followed by 'oxy'.

Aldehydes

Organic compounds containing a carbonyl group (C=O) at the terminal end of the carbon chain; named by replacing the 'e' with 'al'.

Ketones

Organic compounds with a carbonyl group (C=O) located within the carbon chain; named by replacing 'e' with '-one'.

Carboxylic Acids

Organic acids with a carboxyl group (-COOH), typically weak acids and named by replacing the 'e' in the parent compound with '-oic acid'.

Esters

Compounds formed from a reaction between an alcohol and a carboxylic acid; named with the alcohol name first followed by the acid name, changing 'acid' to 'ate'.

Amines

Organic compounds derived from ammonia where at least one hydrogen atom is replaced by a hydrocarbon group, typically with a fishy smell.

Amides

Compounds derived from carboxylic acids where -OH is replaced with an amine group; named by replacing 'oic acid' with 'amide'.

Polymers

Large molecules composed of repeating structural units (monomers); can be natural or synthetic.

Addition Polymerization

A process in which monomers add together to form a polymer without the loss of any small molecules.

Cross-linking

The process of bonding polymer chains together, which can affect the properties of the resulting material.

Thermoplastic Polymers

Polymers that can be reshaped when heated due to few or no cross-links.

Elastomers

Polymers that can stretch and return to their original shape; typically have weak intermolecular forces.

Natural Polymers

Polymers that occur naturally in living organisms, such as cellulose and proteins.

Nucleic Acids

Biopolymers essential for all known forms of life; composed of nucleotides that form DNA and RNA.