6A: Intro to Organic Chemistry

Question 1

What is the general formula?

Answer 1

Algebraic formula that can describe any member of a family of compounds

Question 2

What is empirical formula?

Answer 2

Simplest whole number ratio of atoms of each elements in a compound

Question 3

What is molecular formula?

Answer 3

Actual number of atoms of each element in a molecule

Question 4

What is structural formula?

Answer 4

Shows arrangement of atoms carbon by carbon with the attached hydrogens or functional groups
CH3CH2CH3

Question 5

What is skeletal formula?

Answer 5

Shows bonds of the carbon skeleton and functional groups, nothing else

Question 6

What is displayed formula?

Answer 6

Shows all the atoms, how they are arranged, and the bonds

Question 7

How do you name compounds?

Answer 7

Count number of C atoms in longest chain
Functional group shows prefix
Number functional groups with lowest possible number of carbon its bonded to, alphabetical order
If more than one identical group, use di-2 tri-3 tetra-4

Question 8

What is a functional group?

Answer 8

Atom/group of atoms responsible for the characteristic reactions of a compound

Question 9

What is a homologous series?

Answer 9

Family of organic compounds with the same functional group and therefore:
similar chemical properties
represented by a general formula
each member differs by a CH2
shows trends in physical properties

Question 10

What is an addition reaction?

Answer 10

Joining of two or more molecules to form a larger molecule

Question 11

What is a polymerisation reaction?

Answer 11

Joining together lots of simple molecules to form a giant molecule

Question 12

What is an elimination reaction?

Answer 12

Small group of atoms breaks away from a larger molecule

Question 13

What is a substitution reaction?

Answer 13

When one species is replaced by another

Question 14

What is a hydrolysis reaction?

Answer 14

Splitting a molecule by adding H+ or OH- derived by water

Question 15

What is an oxidation reaction?

Answer 15

Any reaction in which a species loses electrons

Question 16

What is a reduction reaction?

Answer 16

Any reaction in which a species gains electrons

Question 17

What are the rules about punctuation when naming alkanes?

Answer 17

Commas separate numbers

Dashes separate numbers from words

Question 18

What are some prefix for some functional group?

Answer 18

F - fluoro
Cl - chloro
Br - bromo
I - iodo
NO2 - nitro

Question 19

What is structural isomerism?

Answer 19

Compounds with the same molecular formula but with a different structure

Question 20

What is a mechanism?

Answer 20

Diagrams that break down reactions into individual stages to show how they react.
Curly arrows show electron pairs for bonds made or broken

Question 21

Give some examples of mechanisms?

Answer 21

Radical substitution - halogens in alkanes
Electrophilic addition - halogens and hydrogen halides
Nucleophilic substitution

Question 22

What is a nucleophile?

Answer 22

An electron pair donor

Often negatively charged, contain a lone pair of electrons

Question 23

What is an electrophile?

Answer 23

Electron pair acceptors

Often positively charged,

Question 24

What is a free radical?

Answer 24

An atom or part of a molecule with an unpaired electron

Very reactive, they’ll react with anything

Question 25

What is a chain isomer?

Answer 25

Carbon skeleton are arranged differently by branching etc.

Similar chemical properties, physical properties will be different as the different shape of molecule

Question 26

What is a positional isomer?

Answer 26

Functional group is bonded to a different carbon atom

Different chemical and physical properties

Question 27

What is a functional group isomer?

Answer 27

Same atoms arranged into different functional groups

Very different physical and chemical properties