topic 1: introduction to organic chemistry

Question 1

what is organic chemistry?

Answer 1

the study of millions of covalent compounds based on carbon chains, where hydrogen is almost always present

Question 2

carbon atoms bonds + explain

Answer 2

-carbon atoms have the ability to bond in chains which may be straight, branched or rings forming millions of compounds:

-a carbon atom had four outer electrons, so it forms FOUR COVALENT BONDS

Question 3

how can organic compounds be represented?

Answer 3

-empirical formula
-molecular formula
-general formula
-structural formula
-displayed formula
-skeletal formula

Question 4

empirical formula

Answer 4

the simplest whole number ratio of atoms of each element present in a molecule

Question 5

molecular formula

Answer 5

-actual number of atoms of each element present in a molecule

Question 6

structural formula

Answer 6

shows how the atoms in a molecule are arranged

Question 7

displayed formula

Answer 7

shows all the atoms and bonds in a molecule

Question 8

skeletal formula

Answer 8

shows the shape of the carbon skeleton

Question 9

homologous series definition

Answer 9

a series of compounds which all contain the same general formula and same functional group

Question 10

characteristics of homologous series

Answer 10

-same functional group
-same general formula
-same chemical properties
-trend in physical properties

Question 11

functional group definition

Answer 11

an atom or group of atoms which gives an organic compound its particular chemical properties + most reactive

Question 12

rules of nomenclature

Answer 12

1. locate the longest carbon chain in our compound (e.g. 1 meth, 2 eth, 3 prop, 4 but, 5 pent, 6 hex, 7 hept, 8 oct, 9 non, 10 dec)
2. main functional group gives suffix
3. any side chains are added as prefixes
4. alphabetical order with number of carbon the side chain is added to
5. more than one identical side chain use di (2), tri (3), tetra (4)

-on skeletal formula each corner is a carbon

Question 13

structural isomerism definition + 3 examples pf structural isomers

Answer 13

compounds that have the same molecular formula but a different structural formula

example:
-chain
-position
-functional group

Question 14

chain isomers

Answer 14

-different arrangement of the carbon chain (skeleton)
-similair chemical properties
-slightly different physical properties
-some are straight chains
-some are branched = lower boiling point

Question 15

positional isomers

Answer 15

-same carbon skeletal and same atoms and group of atoms attached
-same functional group but different positions of functional group on the carbon chain
-similar chemical properties, slightly different physical properties

Question 16

functional group isomers

Answer 16

-different functional groups
-same molecular formula/ same atoms but have different functional groups
-different physical and chemical properties

Question 17

stereoisomers + 2 examples

Answer 17

same structural formula but different 3D orientation of atoms in space

example:
-E/Z or geometric isomers
-optical isomers

Question 18

E/Z isomers

Answer 18

e-z isomerism is a type of stereoisomerism and occurs as a result of restricted rotation of the C=C carbon double bond (cannot rotate)

-if both the carbons have two different groups attached, then the molecule has E-z isomerism

E - highest priority groups either side of C=C are on DIFFERENT side
Z - highest priority groups either side of C=C are on SAME side

Question 19

CIP priority rules to E and Z isomers

Answer 19

CIP priority rules are used to determine which is the E and which is the Z.
-DIRECTLY bonded atoms only, if the same then look at the ones they are bonded to
-Put E or Z in front of the name.