Organic Chemistry and Intermolecular Forces Overview

These flashcards cover key concepts related to organic chemistry, bonding, functional groups, and intermolecular forces as taught in the lecture.

Why is DNA primarily based on carbon instead of silicon?

Atoms interact to achieve a complete electronic configuration similar to noble gases, which is easier with carbon.

What are the main types of chemical bonds?

Covalent bonds formed by sharing electrons, and ionic bonds formed by electrostatic attractions.

How do intermolecular forces influence physical properties?

Intermolecular forces determine boiling/melting points and solubility of compounds.

What is the significance of formal charge in Lewis structures?

Formal charge helps track the electron density around an atom and assess stability.

What characterizes a primary, secondary, and tertiary amine?

Primary amine has one carbon attached to nitrogen, secondary has two, and tertiary has three.

What is the structure and stability of ketals and hemiketals?

Ketals are stable structures formed from ketones, while hemiketals (with one –OH) are generally unstable.

What are hydrogen bonds and how do they relate to molecular structure?

Hydrogen bonds are attractions between hydrogen atoms bonded to electronegative atoms and are crucial in stabilizing structures like DNA.

What is the hydrophobic effect in biological systems?

The tendency of nonpolar substances to separate from water, leading to organized structures like membranes.

What are the primary structures of proteins?

The primary structure of proteins consists of amino acids linked by peptide bonds.