Organic Chemistry Flashcards
(32 cards)
List some general properties of organic compounds.
- They usually have low melting points
- They usually are nonpolar (unless they bear functional groups)
- They are usually nonconductors of electricity
- They can exist in solid, liquid, and gaseous form. Compounds with:
- 1–4 carbons tend to be gases at room temperature; butane and propane are among the lightest hydrocarbons and are used for fuel
- 5–10 carbons tend to be in the liquid state at room temperature; compounds that fall in this size range are used to make gasoline and solvents
- 12–18 carbons make up jet fuels and kerosene
- More than 18 carbons tend to be solids at room temperature
Define a monomer
A monomer is a molecule that forms the basic unit for polymers. Monomers may bind to other monomers to form a repeating chain molecule.
Define a polymer
A polymer is a large molecule made up of chains of repeating basic molecular units called monomers.
Note: Many polymers are named by their basic monomer unit with the prefix poly.
Define a macromolecule
A macromolecule is a molecule with a very large number of atoms. Macromolecules typically have more than 100 component atoms.
Note: Most polymers are macromolecules and many biochemical molecules are macromolecules.
Define an isomer
An isomer is a chemical species with the same number and types of atoms as another chemical species, but possessing different properties. Two isomers are arranged differently molecularly.
Define a functional group
Functional groups are atoms or groups of atoms attached to an organic compound that impart characteristic shapes and chemical properties to the compound.
Define a Hydrocarbon
a compound that contains only carbon and hydrogen
What does it mean for a compound to be saturated or unsaturated?
- A saturated compound is a substance in which the atoms are linked by single bonds. A fully saturated compound contains no double or triple bonds.
- An unsaturated compound is a substance containing double or triple carbon-carbon bonds.
Prefix: Meth-
of carbon atoms?
1
Prefix: Eth-
of carbon atoms?
2
Prefix: Prop-
of carbon atoms?
3
Prefix: But-
of carbon atoms?
4
Prefix: Pent-
of carbon atoms?
5
Prefix: Hex-
of carbon atoms?
6
Prefix: Hept-
of carbon atoms?
7
Prefix: Oct-
of carbon atoms?
8
Prefix: Non-
of carbon atoms?
9
Prefix: Dec-
of carbon atoms?
10
General Formula: CnH2n+2
What type of hydrocarbon is represented by the equation above?
Alkane
General Formula: CnH2n
What type of hydrocarbon is represented by the equation above?
Alkene
General Formula: CnH2n-2
What type of hydrocarbon is represented by the equation above?
Alkyne
Alkanes are…?
Hydrocarbons that contain only single bonds (also reffered to as saturated hydrocarbons)
Example: Ethane
Alkenes are…?
Hydrocarbons that contain at least one double bond (unsaturated)
Example: Propene
Alkynes are…?
Hydrocarbons that contain triple bonds (unsaturated)
Example: Propyne
