4.1.1 Basic concepts of organic chemistry

Question 1

what is a hydrocarbon

Answer 1

• compound containing carbon + hydrogen only

Question 2

what is the difference between saturated + unsaturated hydrocarbon

Answer 2

• saturated hydrocarbon has single bonds only
• unsaturated hydrocarbon has carbon-carbon bonds

Question 3

what is a homologous series

Answer 3

• a family of compounds with similiar chemical properties (+ same functional group) whose successive members differ by addition of a CH2 group

Question 4

what is the simplest homologous series

Answer 4

• alkanes

Question 5

what is a functional group

Answer 5

• the part of an organic molecule (group of atoms) that is largely responsible for the molecule’s chemical properties

Question 6

why is the IUPAC helpful

Answer 6

• keeps track of all the names of organic molecules
  > means chemists across the globe can communicate clearly

Question 7

what is an aliphatic hydrocarbon

Answer 7

• compound containing carbon atoms joined to each other in unbranched (straight) or branched chains, or non-aromatic rings

Question 8

what is an alicyclic hydrocarbon

Answer 8

• carbon atoms joined to each other in ring (cyclic) structures, with or without branches
  > aliphatic compound arranged in non-aromatic ring with/without branches

Question 9

what is an aromatic hydrocarbon

Answer 9

• a compound of carbon atoms containing a benzene ring

Question 10

what are the 3 homologous series of aliphatic hydrocarbons needed to know

Answer 10

• alkanes: single C-C
• alkenes: double C=C
• alkynes triple Carbon,Carbon

Question 11

what is the general formula

Answer 11

• the simplest algebraic formula for any member of a homologous series

Question 12

what is the molecular formula

Answer 12

• shows number + type of atoms of each elements present in a molecule

Question 13

what is the empirical formula

Answer 13

• the simplest whole-number ratio of the atoms of each element present in a compound

Question 14

what are structural isomers

Answer 14

• compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulae

Question 15

what are the two ways covalent bonds can be broken by

Answer 15

• homolytic fission
• heterolytic fission

Question 16

when a covalent bond breaks by homolytic fission what happens

Answer 16

• each of the bonded atom takes one of the shared pair of electrons from the bond
  > each atom now has a single unpaired electron
  > you form 2 radicals

Question 17

what is a radical

Answer 17

• an atom or groups of atoms ( a species) with an unpaired electron

Question 18

when a covalent bond breaks by heterolytic fission what happens

Answer 18

• one of the bonded atoms takes both of the electrons from the bond
  > atom that takes both electrons becomes negative ion
  > atom that doesn’t take electrons becomes positive ion

Question 19

in a reaction mechanism, what is a curly arrow used for

Answer 19

• to represent the movement of an electron pair

Question 20

what happens in addition reactions

Answer 20

• two reactants join together to form one product

Question 21

what happens in substitution reactions

Answer 21

• an atom or group of atoms is replaced by a different atom or groups of atoms

Question 22

what happens in elimination reactions

Answer 22

• involves removal of a small molecule from a larger one

Question 23

what are the different types of structural isomers

Answer 23

• chain
• functional group
• position

Question 24

when drawing curly arrows, where must they begin at

Answer 24

• a lone pair of electrons on an atom
• a bond that is about to be broken

Question 25

when drawing curly arrows, where must they point at

Answer 25

- a new bond that is forming (or an atom that will share the electrons) - atoms taking both electrons from a bond + gaining a lone pair of electrons

Question 26

what are stereoisomers

Answer 26

- molecules with the same structural formula but a different spatial arrangement of atoms

Question 27

what are the conditions required for E/Z isomerism

Answer 27

- restricted rotation around planar (C=C most common) - when you have diff groups on each carbon > group with higher atomic mass is priority