Chapter 4: An Introduction to Organic Compounds

Practice flashcards based on Chapter 4 notes covering structural formulas, covalent bonds, and molecular shapes.

What do structural formulas provide information about compared to molecular formulas?

Structural formulas provide additional information about how atoms are connected in a molecule.

What is the valence electron count for Hydrogen?

1 valence electron.

What is the central step in drawing a line-bond structure?

Use single covalent bonds to connect the atoms.

What do you add to complete the octets of atoms attached to the central atom?

Lone pair electrons.

What should you do if the central atom does not have an octet in the structure?

Move pairs of nonbonding electrons from attached atoms to form multiple bonds with the central atom.

What is a condensed structural formula?

An abbreviated method to describe attachments without showing bonds in large molecules.

How are covalent bonds represented in skeletal structures?

Covalent bonds are represented by lines, while carbon atoms are not shown.

What is electronegativity?

The ability of an atom to attract bonding electrons.

What indicates a polar covalent bond?

A bond formed between atoms with different electronegativities, resulting in one end being partially positive and the other partially negative.

Which atoms, when bonded to hydrogen or carbon, can indicate the presence of a polar bond?

Nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, and chlorine.

What impact do lone pairs have on the molecular structure?

They help to determine the 3D shape of the molecule around the central atom.

How does the arrangement of bonds and lone pairs affect the shape of a molecule?

Electrons want to be as far apart as possible, influencing the molecular geometry.

What is the molecular shape around a carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms (CH4)?

Tetrahedral.