4.1.1: Basic concepts of organic chemistry

Question 1

What does nomenclature mean?

Answer 1

The system used for naming organic compounds

Question 2

What does the term empirical formula mean?

Answer 2

Simplest whole number ratio of atoms present in a compound

Question 3

What does the term molecular formula mean?

Answer 3

It provides the actual number of atoms of each element in a molecule

Question 4

What does the term displayed formula mean?

Answer 4

the relative positioning of atoms and the bonds between them

Question 5

What does the term structural formula mean?

Answer 5

It shows the arrangement of atoms in a molecule without showing every bond

Question 6

Define skeletal formula

Answer 6

simplified organic formula, removes hydrogen atoms from alkyl chains, leaving a carbon skeleton and associated functional groups

Question 7

Define homologous series

Answer 7

A series of organic compounds having the same functional group but with each successive member differing by CH2

Question 8

What is a functional group?

Answer 8

A group of atoms responsible for characteristic reactions of a compound

Question 9

What is an aliphatic hydrocarbon?

Answer 9

Hydrocarbon with carbon atoms joined together in a straight line or branched chain

Question 10

What is an alicyclic hydrocarbon?

Answer 10

Hydrocarbons arranged in non aromatic rings with or without side chains

Question 11

What is an aromatic hydrocarbon?

Answer 11

Hydrocarbon that contains at least one benzene ring

Question 12

Give the suffixes for:

a) No double bonds
b) At least one double bond
c) An alcohol
d) An aldehyde
e) A ketone
f) A carboxylic acid

Answer 12

a) No double bonds -ane
b) At least one double bond -ene
c) An alcohol -ol
d) An aldehyde -al
e) A ketone -one
f) A carboxylic acid -oic acid

Question 13

Give the prefixes for:

a) CH3 group
b) C2H5 group
c) C3H7 group
d) C4H9 group
e) Cl group
f) Br group
g) I group

Answer 13

a) CH3 group methyl-
b) C2H5 group ethyl-
c) C3H7 group propyl-
d) C4H9 group butyl-
e) Cl group chloro-
f) Br group bromo-
g) I group iodo-

Question 14

What is the general formula of alkanes?

Answer 14

CnH2n+2

Question 15

What is the general formula of alkenes?

Answer 15

CnH2n

Question 16

What is the general formula of alcohols?

Answer 16

CnH2n+1 OH

Question 17

What does saturated mean?

Answer 17

Organic compounds which only contain single bonds

Question 18

What are unsaturated compounds?

Answer 18

Organic compounds that contain at least one carbon carbon double covalent bond

Question 19

Define structural isomerism

Answer 19

When molecules have the same molecular formula but different structural formula

Question 20

What are the 3 ways in which structural isomers can be formed?

Answer 20

1. Alkyl groups can be in different places
2. Functional groups can be bonded to different parts
3. There can be different functional groups

Question 21

What are stereoisomers?

Answer 21

Organic compounds with the same molecular formula but have different arrangement of atoms in space

Question 22

What is E-Z isomerism and how are E and Z isomers differentiated?

Answer 22

E-Z isomerism is caused by the limited rotation about C=C double bonds
If the two substituents with the highest molecular mass are on the same side of the double bond, it is the Z (zusammen) isomer
If they are on different sides, it is the E (entgegen) isomer

Question 23

What is Cis-trans isomerism?

Answer 23

Special type of E/Z isomerism where the two substituents on each carbon atom are the same

Question 24

What is homolytic fission?

Answer 24

It happens when each bonding atom receives one electron from the bonded pair forming two radicals

Question 25

What is heterolytic fission?

Answer 25

When one bonding atom receives both electrons from the bonded pair

Question 26

What are radicals?

Answer 26

Highly reactive species with an unpaired electron

Question 27

How is a covalent bond formed from two radicals?

Answer 27

The radicals collide and the electrons are involved the bond formation