Biochem: Hydrocarbons

Biochem Midterm Definitions

Organic compounds made up of only carbon and hydrogen.

Hydrocarbons (Clue: “Hydro” = hydrogen, “carbon” = carbon)

General formula for alkanes.

CₙH₂ₙ₊₂ (Clue: +2 = fully saturated)

Hydrocarbons containing only single bonds.

Alkanes (Clue: A = Alone, only single bonds)

Name ending for alkanes.

-ane (Clue: Single = -ane)

Simplest alkane, used as fuel and in natural gas.

Methane (CH₄) (Clue: 1 carbon = meth-)

Alkane used in the production of plastics.

Ethane (C₂H₆) (Clue: Eth- = 2 carbons)

Alkane used as LPG.

Propane (C₃H₈) (Clue: Prop- = 3 carbons)

Alkane used as fuel in lighters.

Butane (C₄H₁₀) (Clue: But- = 4 carbons)

Alkane used as aviation fuel.

Octane (C₈H₁₈) (Clue: Oct- = 8 carbons)

Natural source of a mixture of hydrocarbons formed by decomposition of plant and animal matter.

Petroleum (crude oil) (Clue: Found underground)

Hydrocarbons with one double bond in the chain.

Alkenes (Clue: E = double bond)

General formula for alkenes.

CₙH₂ₙ (Clue: One double bond removes 2 H)

Name ending for alkenes.

-ene (Clue: Double = ene)

Alkene used to produce plastics via polymerization.

Ethene (C₂H₄) (Clue: Monomer for polyethylene)

Reaction where monomers join to form polymers.

Polymerization (Clue: Poly = many)

Hydrocarbons with one triple bond in the chain.

Alkynes (Clue: Y in yne = triple line)

General formula for alkynes.

CₙH₂ₙ₋₂ (Clue: Triple bond removes 4 H)

Name ending for alkynes.

-yne (Clue: Triple = yne)

Simplest alkyne, used in oxyacetylene welding and cutting.

Ethyne (C₂H₂) (Clue: Also called acetylene)

Alkyne used for artificial ripening of fruits.

Ethyne (C₂H₂) (Clue: Gas for ripening)

Process of making plastics like PVC, neoprene, and synthetic rubber.

Polymerization (Clue: Poly = many units)

Alkynes are used to make these organic compounds: ethanol, ethanoic acid, acrylic acid.

Ethyne derivatives (Clue: Products made from acetylene)

Small hydrocarbon side chain with one carbon.

Methyl (-CH₃) (Clue: Meth- = 1)

Side chain with two carbons.

Ethyl (-CH₂CH₃) (Clue: Eth- = 2)

Side chain with three carbons.

Propyl (-CH₂CH₂CH₃) (Clue: Prop- = 3)

Name given to the longest continuous carbon chain in a molecule.

Root (or parent chain) (Clue: Main chain)

Prefix for 1 carbon atom in the chain.

Meth- (Clue: Meth = 1)

Prefix for 2 carbons in the chain.

Eth- (Clue: Eth = 2)

Prefix for 3 carbons in the chain.

Prop- (Clue: Prop = 3)

Prefix for 4 carbons in the chain.

But- (Clue: But = 4)

Prefix for 5 carbons in the chain.

Pent- (Clue: Pentagon = 5 sides)

Prefix for 6 carbons in the chain.

Hex- (Clue: Hexagon = 6 sides)

Prefix for 7 carbons in the chain.

Hept- (Clue: Heptathlon = 7 events)

Prefix for 8 carbons in the chain.

Oct- (Clue: Octopus = 8 legs)

Prefix for 9 carbons in the chain.

Non- (Clue: Nonagon = 9 sides)

Prefix for 10 carbons in the chain.

Dec- (Clue: Decade = 10 years)

Prefix for 11 carbons in the chain.

Undec- (Clue: Un + Deca = 11)

Prefix for 12 carbons in the chain.

Dodec- (Clue: Do + Deca = 12)

Hydrocarbons where the carbon atoms form a ring structure.

Cyclic alkanes (Clue: Cyclo- prefix)

What are the three main types of hydrocarbons covered in the lesson?

Alkanes, Alkenes, Alkynes (Clue: Single, double, triple)

What is the rule for numbering carbon atoms in alkenes?

Always give the double bond the lowest possible number. (Clue: Double gets priority)

What is the rule for numbering carbon atoms in alkynes?

Always give the triple bond the lowest possible number. (Clue: Triple gets priority)

What is the general rule for alphabetizing side chains in hydrocarbon naming?

List substituents alphabetically, ignoring di-, tri-, tetra-. (Clue: Ignore number prefixes)

What are side chains also called?

Side branches or alkyl groups (Clue: Same meaning)

What ending is used for alkyl group names?

-yl (Clue: Side chain ending)

What is the joining of monomers to form polymers called?

Polymerization (Clue: Repeat unit joining)

Give one use of alkanes other than fuel.

Raw materials for chemical reactions (Clue: Industrial use)

Give one use of alkenes other than polymerization.

Used in production of alcohols and other chemicals (Clue: Chemical manufacturing)