3.3.1.0 the basics

what is organic chemistry?

the chemistry/study of the millions of covalent compounds of the element carbon

why does carbon form a vast number of compounds?

because it can form strong covalent bonds with itself

what does the fact that carbon can form covalent bonds with itself result in?

it enables it to form long chains (up to 5000 in length) of carbon atoms + hence an almost infinite variety of carbon compounds are known

the physical + chemical properties of organic compounds depend on what two factors?

• the number + arrangement of carbon atoms in the molecule

• the functional groups in the molecule

give the 3 ways carbon atoms can arrange themselves

1. straight chain molecule

2. branched molecule

3. cyclic molecule

what is a functional group?

a specific atom or group of atoms which give certain physical + chemical properties to the molecule

what is a homologous series?

organic compounds with the same functional group but a different number of carbon atoms are said to be part of the same homologous series

what are the 4 main characteristics/features of a homologous series?

1. they have the same general formula

2. they have similar chemical properties

3. there is a trend in their physical properties

4. one differs from the next by CH₂

give the first 4 alkanes

• methane

• ethane

• propane

• butane

give the general formula, functional group, prefix/suffix + an example of:

a. alkanes

b. cycloalkanes

c. alkenes

give the functional group, prefix/suffix + an example of:

a. halogenoalkanes

b. alcohols

c. aldehydes

give the functional group, prefix/suffix + an example of:

a. ketones

b. carboxylic acids

give the functional group, prefix/suffix + an example of:

a. nitriles

b. amines