Gr12 Intro Organic Chemistry

Organic Chemistry

The chemistry of carbon compounds excluding CO2, CO, carbonates, cyanides, and elemental carbon.

Valence Electrons

Electrons in the outermost shell of an atom that determine its bonding behavior; carbon has 4 valence electrons.

Covalent Bonds

Chemical bonds formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms; carbon can form four covalent bonds.

Functional Group

A bond or an atom or a group of atoms that determines the physical and chemical properties of a group of organic compounds.

Homologous Series

A series of organic compounds that can be described by the same general formula or differ by a CH2 group.

General Formula

A formula that describes a homologous series using variables to represent the number of atoms.

Molecular Formula

A formula that indicates the type and number of atoms in a specific molecule.

Structural Formula

A formula that shows all atoms and bonds in a molecule.

Cyclic Structure

A structure in which carbon atoms are connected to form a ring.

Hydrocarbons

Organic compounds that consist only of hydrogen and carbon.

Saturated Hydrocarbons

Compounds with only single bonds between carbon atoms.

Unsaturated Hydrocarbons

Compounds that contain at least one double or triple bond between carbon atoms.

Alkanes

Saturated hydrocarbons with the general formula CnH2n+2.

Alkenes

Unsaturated hydrocarbons with at least one carbon-carbon double bond; general formula is CnH2n.

Alkynes

Unsaturated hydrocarbons with at least one carbon-carbon triple bond; general formula is CnH2n-2.

Testing for Saturation

Experiments to determine whether a hydrocarbon is saturated or unsaturated, such as using bromine water.