Organic Chemistry

Primarily contain hydrogen and carbon.

Organic Compounds

The branch of chemistry that deals with carbon compounds.

Organic Chemistry

Do not contain the benzene group.

Aliphatic Hydrocarbons

Contains only single bonds between the carbon atoms.

Unsaturated Hydrocarbon

Contains double or triple bonds between carbon atoms.

Saturated Hydrocarbon

Contain one or more benzene rings.

Aromatic Hydrocarbons

CnH2n+2.

Alkane Series (Paraffins)

One in which each member differs from the next by a -CH2.

Homologous Series

Prefix-ROOT-suffix.

Alkane Nomenclature

Tells the number of C atoms in the longest continuous chain in the molecule.

Root

Identifies the group attached to the main chain and the number of the carbon to which it is attached.

Prefix

Tells the type of organic compound the molecule represents.

Suffix

The replacement of one or more hydrogen atoms by halogen atoms.

Halogenation

An atom that contains an unpaired electron.

Radical

Alkanes in which one or more hydrogen atoms have been replaced by a halogen atom.

Alkyl Halides

Alkanes whose carbon atoms are joined in rings.

Cycloalkanes

Two or more hydrocarbon compounds with the same molecular formula but different properties.

Isomer

Isomers with different arrangements of bonded atoms.

Structural Isomer

Same arrangement of atoms but different orientation of groups in space.

Stereoisomerism

When two objects are mirror images of each other and cannot be superimposed.

Optical Isomerism

An asymmetric molecule with a carbon atom that is bonded to four different groups.

Chiral Molecule

An asymmetric carbon.

Chiral Center

CnH2n.

Alkane Series (Olefins)

The simplest alkene.

Ethene (Ethylene)

Same type, number of atoms, and chemical bonds but different spatial arrangements.

Geometric (Cis-trans) Isomer

If two alkyl groups are on the same side of the bond.

Cis

If the two alkyl groups lie on opposite sides of the double bond.

Trans

Parts of a reactant react to each carbon atom of a C=C bond, which converts to a C-C on a single bond.

Addition Reaction

The H atom of an unsymmetrical reagent such as HCl, HBr, and H-OH bonds with the carbon atom with the greater number of hydrogen atoms attached to it.

Markovnikov’s Rule

CnH2n-2.

Alkyne Series

The simplest alkyne.

Ethyne (Acetylene)

Occurs when a saturated reactant becomes an unsaturated product.

Elimination Reaction

Occurs when an atom or group from an added reagent substitutes for one in the organic reactant.

Substitution Reaction

A compound obtained by substituting a hydroxyl group (-OH). Example:Methanol.

Alcohol

Groups containing R-O-R’ linkage. Example:Dimethyl ether.

Ethers

Containing at least one hydrogen atom bonded to the carbon in the carbonyl group (-CHO). Example:Methanal (formaldehyde).

Aldehydes

Containing a carbonyl group with two hydrocarbon groups attached to it (R-CO-R’). Example:Propanone (acetone).

Ketone

Groups containing the carboxyl group, -COOH. The suffix for the stem name is “-oic acid”. Example:Methanoic Acid.

Carboxylic Acid

Have the general formula R’-COOR in which R’ can be H, an alkyl or aromatic hydrocarbon group. The suffix for the stem name is “-oate”. Example:Ethyl Ethanoate.

Esters

Organic bases that have the general formula R3N. The suffix for the stem name is “-amine”. Example:Ethanamine.

Amines