Introductory Organic Chemistry and Alkanes Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering core definitions, organic nomenclature rules, isomerism, fuel processes, mechanisms, and reactions from the Introductory Organic Chemistry and Alkanes lecture notes.

Hazard

A substance or procedure that has the potential to do harm.

Risk

The probability or chance that harm will result from the use of a hazardous substance or a procedure.

Hydrocarbon

A compound consisting of hydrogen and carbon only.

Saturated Hydrocarbon

A hydrocarbon containing single carbon-carbon bonds only.

Unsaturated Hydrocarbon

A hydrocarbon containing a $C=C$ double bond.

Molecular Formula

The formula which shows the actual number of each type of atom in a compound.

Empirical Formula

Shows the simplest whole number ratio of atoms of each element in the compound.

General Formula

Algebraic formula for a homologous series (e.g. $C_n H_{2n}$).

Structural Formula

Shows the minimal detail that shows the arrangement of atoms in a molecule (e.g. for butane: $CH_3 CH_2 CH_2 CH_3$ or $CH_3 (CH_2)_2 CH_3$).

Displayed Formula

Shows all the covalent bonds present in a molecule.

Skeletal Formula

Shows the simplified organic formula, shown by removing hydrogen atoms from alkyl chains, leaving just a carbon skeleton and associated functional groups.

Homologous Series

Families of organic compounds with the same functional group and same general formula.

Functional Group

An atom or group of atoms which when present in different molecules causes them to have similar chemical properties.

Homolytic Fission

The breaking of a covalent bond where each atom gets one electron from the bond, forming two free radicals.

Heterolytic Fission

The breaking of a covalent bond where one atom gets both electrons, producing ions.

Free Radical

A reactive species which possesses an unpaired electron.

Mechanism

The detailed step-by-step description of how a chemical reaction proceeds.

Structural Isomers

Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structures (or structural formulae).

Chain Isomers

Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structures of the carbon skeleton.

Position Isomers

Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structures due to different positions of the same functional group on the same carbon skeleton.

Functional Group Isomers

Compounds with the same molecular formula but with atoms arranged to give different functional groups.

Petroleum Fraction

A mixture of hydrocarbons with a similar chain length and boiling point range.

Cracking

Conversion of large hydrocarbons to smaller molecules by breakage of $C-C$ bonds.

Reforming

Process that turns straight chain alkanes into branched and cyclic alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons.

Fuel

A substance that releases heat energy when burnt.

Complete Combustion

Combustion of alkanes in excess oxygen, producing $CO_2$ and $H_2 O$.

Incomplete Combustion

Combustion occurring in a limited amount of oxygen, producing $CO$ (very toxic) and/or $C$ (soot) alongside $H_2 O$.

Catalytic Converters

Devices in vehicle exhausts with a ceramic honeycomb coated with catalyst metals (Platinum, Palladium, Rhodium) that turn $CO$, $NO$, and unburned hydrocarbons into $CO_2$, $N_2$, and $H_2 O$.

Biofuels

Renewable plant-based fuels developed from renewable resources, such as alcohols (e.g. ethanol) and biodiesel.

Initiation

The initial step in a free radical substitution reaction where UV light provides energy to break a bond (e.g. $Cl-Cl$) by homolytic fission to form free radicals.

Propagation

Steps in a free radical substitution reaction where a free radical reacts with a molecule to form a product and a new free radical, maintaining the chain reaction.

Termination

The final step in a free radical substitution reaction where two free radicals collide and combine to form a stable molecule, ending the chain reaction.