Organic Chemistry - Alcohols and other functional groups

Flashcards about Organic Chemistry, Alcohols, and other functional groups

Functional groups

Specific arrangements of atoms that influence both the physical and chemical properties of organic compounds.

Hydrocarbons

Organic molecules made up of only carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) atoms.

Alcohols

Aliphatic; The O atom is bonded to a H atom on one side and an aliphatic C atom on the other. The functional group is the –O-H part of the molecule and is called a hydroxyl group. We write the general formula as R–OH where the letter ‘R’ is used to represent the rest of the organic molecule that extends from a generic carbon-based group. An example is ethanol, CH₃CH₂OH.

Ethers

Aliphatic; The O atom is bonded to 2 aliphatic C atoms, forming a structure with the general formula R–O-R’. An example is diethyl ether, CH₃CH₂–O–CH₂CH₃.

Phenols

Aromatic; The O atom is bonded to a H atom on one side and an aromatic benzene ring on the other. We write the general formula as Ar–OH where ‘Ar’ is used to represent the aromatic ring. An example is phenol, C₆H₅OH.

Aldehydes

The carbonyl group is located at the end of a carbon chain and is hence bonded to at least one hydrogen atom. The general formula is written as R–CHO, and an example is ethanal, CH₃CHO.

Ketones

The carbonyl group is located within a carbon chain and is hence bonded to two carbon atoms, one on each side of the carbonyl group. The general formula is written as R–CO–R’, and an example is propanone, CH₃COCH₃.

Carboxylic acids

The carbonyl group is bonded to a C atom on one side and a hydroxyl group on the other, forming a new functional group called the carboxyl or carboxylic acid group (–COOH). The general formula is written as R–COOH, and an example is ethanoic acid (also known as acetic acid), CH₃COOH.

Esters

The carbonyl group is bonded to a C atom on one side and an -OR’ group (an alkoxy group) on the other. The general formula is written as R–COOR’, and an example is methyl methanoate, CH₃COOCH₃.

Alcohols

Organic compounds derived from hydrocarbons in which a hydroxyl group (–OH) replaces a hydrogen atom.

Functional group

The –OH group is known as a __ and defines the chemical behaviour of alcohols.

Dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, hydrogen bonding

Alcohols have much higher boiling points than similarly sized hydrocarbons because of ,, and .

-ol

The name of an alcohol comes from the hydrocarbon from which it was derived. The final –e in the name of the hydrocarbon is replaced by _ (or –diol. -triol, etc.) and the carbon atom to which the – OH group is bonded is indicated by a number placed before the name.

Tertiary

There are three classes of alcohol, which differ by the number of carbon atoms directly, bonded the hydroxyl-bearing carbon atom: Primary, secondary, and _ .

An addition reaction

A characteristic reaction of alkenes is _ .

Condensation

When alcohols are reacted with carboxylic acids in the presence of an acid catalyst, a reaction occurs, producing an ester as the organic product.

Ethers

Organic compounds containing an oxygen atom bonded to two hydrocarbon groups (R– O–R′), which may be the same or different.

Phenols

Compounds that contain a hydroxyl group (–OH) directly bonded to an aromatic ring, typically a benzene ring

Oxidizing agents

Elements or compounds that bring about oxidation of another species by themselves being reduced