IB SL organic chem

Organic chemistry

The study of compounds containing carbon, especially hydrocarbons and their derivatives.

Hydrocarbon

A compound containing only carbon and hydrogen.

Alkane

A hydrocarbon containing only single carbon-carbon bonds.

Alkene

A hydrocarbon containing at least one carbon-carbon double bond.

Alkyne

A hydrocarbon containing at least one carbon-carbon triple bond.

Saturated hydrocarbon

A hydrocarbon containing only carbon-carbon single bonds.

Unsaturated hydrocarbon

A hydrocarbon containing one or more carbon-carbon double or triple bonds.

Homologous series

A family of organic compounds with the same functional group and general formula, where successive members differ by CH₂.

Functional group

An atom or group of atoms responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of an organic compound.

General formula

A formula that represents all members of a homologous series.

Molecular formula

Shows the actual number of each type of atom in a molecule.

Structural formula

Shows how atoms are arranged and bonded in a molecule.

Condensed structural formula

A shortened way of showing the structure of an organic molecule.

Isomer

A compound with the same molecular formula as another compound but a different arrangement of atoms.

Structural isomer

An isomer with a different connectivity of atoms.

Alkane general formula

CₙH₂ₙ₊₂

Alkene general formula

CₙH₂ₙ

Alkyne general formula

CₙH₂ₙ₋₂

Meth-

Prefix meaning 1 carbon.

Eth-

Prefix meaning 2 carbons.

Prop-

Prefix meaning 3 carbons.

But-

Prefix meaning 4 carbons.

Pent-

Prefix meaning 5 carbons.

Hex-

Prefix meaning 6 carbons.

Hept-

Prefix meaning 7 carbons.

Oct-

Prefix meaning 8 carbons.

-ane

Suffix used for alkanes.

-ene

Suffix used for alkenes.

-yne

Suffix used for alkynes.

Alcohol

An organic compound containing a hydroxyl functional group, -OH.

Alcohol functional group

-OH

Aldehyde

An organic compound containing a terminal carbonyl group, -CHO.

Aldehyde functional group

-CHO

Ketone

An organic compound containing a carbonyl group within the carbon chain.

Ketone functional group

>C=O

Carboxylic acid

An organic compound containing a carboxyl group.

Carboxyl functional group

-COOH

Ester

An organic compound containing the functional group -COO-.

Ester functional group

-COO-

Alcohol suffix

-ol

Aldehyde suffix

-al

Ketone suffix

-one

Carboxylic acid suffix

-oic acid

Ester naming

Named from the alcohol part followed by the carboxylic acid part ending in -oate.

Ethanol

CH₃CH₂OH

Ethene

CH₂=CH₂

Ethane

CH₃CH₃

Ethanoic acid

CH₃COOH

Ethanal

CH₃CHO

Propanone

CH₃COCH₃

Combustion

The reaction of an organic compound with oxygen.

Complete combustion

Combustion with sufficient oxygen, producing carbon dioxide and water.

Incomplete combustion

Combustion with insufficient oxygen, which can produce carbon monoxide and/or carbon.

Addition reaction

A reaction in which atoms are added across a carbon-carbon double or triple bond.

Hydrogenation

Addition of hydrogen across a carbon-carbon double bond.

Hydration

Addition of water across a carbon-carbon double bond.

Oxidation

In organic chemistry, a reaction that generally involves adding oxygen or removing hydrogen.

Esterification

The reaction between a carboxylic acid and an alcohol to form an ester and water.

Esterification products

Ester + water.

Polymer

A very large molecule made from repeating smaller units called monomers.

Monomer

A small molecule that can join with other molecules to form a polymer.

Addition polymerization

Polymerization in which alkene monomers join without producing another small molecule.

Addition polymer

A polymer formed from alkene monomers by addition polymerization.

Polymer repeating unit

The repeating structural section that makes up a polymer chain.

C=C in organic chemistry

A carbon-carbon double bond that can undergo addition reactions.

C≡C in organic chemistry

A carbon-carbon triple bond found in alkynes.

Hydroxyl group

-OH

Carbonyl group

C=O

Carboxyl group

-COOH