Organic Chemistry Basics and IUPAC Nomenclature

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the foundational concepts of organic chemistry, including carbon bonding, hydrocarbon families, IUPAC nomenclature rules, and common functional groups.

Carbon

A 4-valence electron atom that forms 4 covalent bonds and serves as the basis of organic chemistry.

Catenate

The ability of carbon atoms to form covalent bonds with other carbon atoms to create chains or rings.

Alkane

A family of hydrocarbons containing only single bonds with the general formula $C_nH_{2n+2}$.

Cycloalkanes

Ringed hydrocarbons that contain only single bonds.

Alkene

A hydrocarbon family that contains at least one double bond.

Alkyne

A hydrocarbon family that contains at least one triple bond.

Aromatics

A family of organic compounds characterized by being benzene-based.

Methane

The simplest alkane with the chemical formula $CH_4$.

Ethane

An alkane containing two carbon atoms with the formula $C_2H_6$.

Propane

An alkane containing three carbon atoms with the formula $C_3H_8$.

Butane

An alkane containing four carbon atoms with the formula $C_4H_{10}$.

Condensed Structural Formula

A shorthand notation for representing organic molecules where some of the bonds are implied.

Line Formula

A chemical representation where carbon atoms are located at every bend and terminal point, and hydrogens are implied.

Parent Chain

The longest continuous chain of carbon atoms in an organic molecule.

Substituent Groups

Side chains or groups of atoms attached to the main parent chain, such as methyl, ethyl, and propyl groups.

Functional Groups

Specific groups of atoms attached to the main chain that affect the chemical reactivity of the molecule.

Alcohol

A functional group containing a hydroxyl group ($-OH$), with names typically ending in "-ol" (e.g., methanol, ethanol).

Amines

Functional groups containing nitrogen, specifically represented as $-NH_2$.

Halogens

Elements used as substituents in organic chemistry, named as fluoro-, chloro-, bromo-, and iodo-.

Aldehydes

Functional groups where the carbonyl group is at the end of the carbon chain, and naming ends in "-al".

Ketones

Functional groups where the carbonyl group is located in the middle of the carbon chain, and naming ends in "-one".

Isopropanol

Also known as isopropyl alcohol or 2-propanol, a molecule where the $-OH$ group is on the middle carbon of a three-carbon chain.