Organic Chemistry - Chapter 20

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts in organic chemistry related to hydrocarbons, including types of hydrocarbons, functional groups, and reactions.

Hydrocarbons

Compounds consisting only of carbon (C) and hydrogen (H).

Alkanes

Saturated hydrocarbons with only single C–C bonds, formula CnH2n+2.

Alkenes

Unsaturated hydrocarbons containing at least one double bond, formula CnH2n.

Alkynes

Unsaturated hydrocarbons containing at least one triple bond, formula CnH2n-2.

Functional Groups

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

Hybridization

The concept of mixing atomic orbitals to form new hybrid orbitals suitable for pairing electrons to form chemical bonds.

sp3 hybridization

Hybridization of carbon with tetrahedral geometry, four sigma bonds.

sp2 hybridization

Hybridization of carbon with trigonal planar geometry, one double bond.

sp hybridization

Hybridization of carbon with linear geometry, one triple bond.

Bond Strength

The measure of the energy required to break a bond; strongest for triple bonds, followed by double bonds, then single bonds.

Isomers

Compounds with the same molecular formula but different arrangements of atoms.

Structural Isomers

Isomers that differ in the connectivity of their atoms.

Geometrical Isomers

Isomers that have the same connectivity but different spatial arrangements due to restricted rotation.

Carboxylic Acids

Organic acids containing a –COOH (carboxyl) functional group, which makes them weak acids.

Alcohols

Organic compounds containing one or more hydroxyl (-OH) groups, generally polar and more soluble in water than hydrocarbons.

Amine

Organic compounds containing nitrogen as part of a functional group; generally basic.

Aldehyde

Organic compounds containing the carbonyl group (C=O) with at least one hydrogen atom attached to the carbonyl carbon.

Ketone

Organic compounds containing a carbonyl group (C=O) bonded to two carbon atoms.

Ester

Organic compounds formed from the reaction of an alcohol and a carboxylic acid, typically characterized by a pleasant smell.

Polymerization Reaction

A chemical reaction in which small molecules called monomers combine to form larger, more complex molecules called polymers.

Combustion Reaction

A reaction in which a substance combines with oxygen to produce heat and light; typically produces carbon dioxide and water from hydrocarbons.

Nomenclature

The system of naming compounds in chemistry according to established rules.

Structural Isomer Examples

Examples include butane and isobutane, which have the same formula but different structures.

Polyhydroxy Alcohols

Alcohols that contain multiple hydroxyl (-OH) groups.

Chirality

A property of a molecule that makes it non-superimposable on its mirror image, often due to the presence of a stereogenic center.

Enantiomers

A pair of stereoisomers that are mirror images of each other.

Racemic Mixture

A mixture that contains equal amounts of two enantiomers, resulting in no optical activity.