MATTER & MATERIALS – ORGANIC CHEMISTRY DEFINITIONS
Organic chemistry Functional isomers
The study of the structure, properties, and Isomers that have the same molecular formulae,
reactions of the chemical compounds of carbon but the atoms are connected in different ways to
and hydrogen. form compounds that belong to different
homologous series.
Organic molecules
Molecules that contain carbon atoms Saturated compounds
A compound that has only single bonds.
Empirical formula
Shows the simplest whole-number ratio of the Unsaturated compounds
elements making up a compound. A compound that contains double or triple bonds
Molecular formula Hydrocarbon
A formula that shows the number of atoms of An organic molecule which contains only carbon
each element present in the molecule. and hydrogen atoms with no other functional
groups besides single, double, or triple carbon-
Structural formula carbon bonds.
A formula that shows every bond between every
atom in the molecule. Substituent/branch
An atom or group of atoms bonded to a carbon
Condensed structural formula chain.
A formula in which each carbon atom and the
hydrocarbon atoms that are bonded directly to it Relative molecular mass
are listed as a molecular formula. The sum of atomic masses of all the atoms in the
molecule or formula; it compares the mass of one
Functional group molecule or formula unit of one compound with
The distinctive group of atoms that is part of an the mass of a carbon-12 atom.
organic compound and is responsible for the
characteristic chemical reactions of that Mole
substance. The amount of substance that contains the same
number of elementary units (atoms, molecules, or
Homologous series other particles) as the number of atoms in exactly
A series of compounds with the same general 12,0g of carbon-12.
formula/functional group and share similar
chemical characteristics. Avogadro’s Law
Equal volumes of all gases (at the same pressure
Isomer and temperature) contain the same number of
Molecules with the same molecular formula but units (atoms or molecules).
different structural formulae.
Intermolecular forces
Chain isomer Forces that act between molecules.
Isomers whose carbon atoms are arranged
differently in their chains. Phase
The gas, liquid, or solid state of the compound at
Positional isomers room temperature.
Isomers whose common functional group is
located at different positions on the chain.
Organic chemistry Functional isomers
The study of the structure, properties, and Isomers that have the same molecular formulae,
reactions of the chemical compounds of carbon but the atoms are connected in different ways to
and hydrogen. form compounds that belong to different
homologous series.
Organic molecules
Molecules that contain carbon atoms Saturated compounds
A compound that has only single bonds.
Empirical formula
Shows the simplest whole-number ratio of the Unsaturated compounds
elements making up a compound. A compound that contains double or triple bonds
Molecular formula Hydrocarbon
A formula that shows the number of atoms of An organic molecule which contains only carbon
each element present in the molecule. and hydrogen atoms with no other functional
groups besides single, double, or triple carbon-
Structural formula carbon bonds.
A formula that shows every bond between every
atom in the molecule. Substituent/branch
An atom or group of atoms bonded to a carbon
Condensed structural formula chain.
A formula in which each carbon atom and the
hydrocarbon atoms that are bonded directly to it Relative molecular mass
are listed as a molecular formula. The sum of atomic masses of all the atoms in the
molecule or formula; it compares the mass of one
Functional group molecule or formula unit of one compound with
The distinctive group of atoms that is part of an the mass of a carbon-12 atom.
organic compound and is responsible for the
characteristic chemical reactions of that Mole
substance. The amount of substance that contains the same
number of elementary units (atoms, molecules, or
Homologous series other particles) as the number of atoms in exactly
A series of compounds with the same general 12,0g of carbon-12.
formula/functional group and share similar
chemical characteristics. Avogadro’s Law
Equal volumes of all gases (at the same pressure
Isomer and temperature) contain the same number of
Molecules with the same molecular formula but units (atoms or molecules).
different structural formulae.
Intermolecular forces
Chain isomer Forces that act between molecules.
Isomers whose carbon atoms are arranged
differently in their chains. Phase
The gas, liquid, or solid state of the compound at
Positional isomers room temperature.
Isomers whose common functional group is
located at different positions on the chain.
