Organic Chemistry Concepts and Chemical Bonds

A collection of flashcards covering key vocabulary and definitions related to organic chemistry, molecular structures, and chemical bonding concepts.

Functional Groups

Specific groups of atoms within molecules that have characteristic properties and reactions.

Formal Charge

The charge of an atom in a molecule calculated by taking the number of valence electrons and subtracting the number of bonds and lone pairs.

IUPAC Nomenclature

The systematic method of naming chemical compounds according to the rules set by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry.

Covalent Bonds

Bonds formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms.

Ionic Bonds

Bonds formed through the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.

Hydrogen Bonding

Attractive interaction between a hydrogen atom, covalently bonded to an electronegative atom, and another electronegative atom.

London Dispersion Forces

Weak, temporary forces that arise from the interaction of electrons in atoms and molecules.

Primary Alcohol

An alcohol where the hydroxyl (-OH) group is attached to a primary carbon atom.

Ketal

A functional group formed from a ketone and an alcohol, in which one of the -OR groups is replaced by an -OH to form a hemiacetal.

Acetal

A functional group formed from an aldehyde and an alcohol, whose structure includes two -OR groups.

Boiling Point

The temperature at which a liquid's vapor pressure equals the external pressure surrounding the liquid.

Hydrophobic Effect

The tendency of nonpolar substances to aggregate in aqueous solutions to minimize their exposure to water.

Chiral Centres

Carbon atoms that are bonded to four different substituents, leading to non-superimposable mirror images.

Dipole-Dipole Forces

Attractive forces that occur between polar molecules, resulting from the interaction of their dipoles.

Secondary Amine

An amine in which the nitrogen is bonded to two carbon atoms.

Tertiary Structure

The overall three-dimensional structure of a protein formed by the folding of its secondary structures.

Peptide Bond

The covalent bond formed between two amino acids during protein synthesis through the removal of a water molecule.

Condensed Structure

A molecular representation that provides connectivity information without showing all hydrogen atoms.

Noble Gas Configuration

An electron configuration that resembles that of the nearest noble gas, typically involving eight valence electrons.

Electrostatic Interactions

Forces between charged particles, including attraction between opposite charges and repulsion between like charges.