10.1 Fundamentals of organic chemistry
Detailed exam solutions verified for
accuracy
Organic chemistry - ANSWER-Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds,
and specifically compounds containing the C-H bond.
Catenation - ANSWER-The property of carbon where carbon atoms can join together to
form chains and rings.
Alkanes - ANSWER-A homologous series; Family of hydrocarbons.
The compounds are all straight-chain alkanes, and the molecular formula of all alkanes
can be represented by the general formula C(n)H(2n+2).
Functional group name: alkyl
General name: alkane
Hydrocarbon - ANSWER-A compound containing only carbon and hydrogen
Empirical formula - ANSWER-The simplest whole number ratio of the elements present
in a compound.
Molecular formula - ANSWER-The total number of atoms of each element present in a
molecule of the compound. A molecular formula is an integer multiple of the empirical
formula.
Full structural formula - ANSWER-Also called a displayed or graphic formula; shows all
the atoms and bonds in a molecule.
Although we draw the full structural formula with 90° bond angles, it must be
remembered that with four electron pairs around each carbon atom, the shape is
tetrahedral around each one.
, Condensed structural formula - ANSWER-The simplest representation that shows how
the atoms are joined together in a molecule. (e.g. CH3CH3)
Skeletal formula - ANSWER-Very convenient and widely used for drawing more
complex molecules.
Drawn with lines, where each bend represents a carbon atom.
Skeletal formulas should not be used in examinations unless specifically requested.
Homologous series - ANSWER-A homologous series is a series of compounds that
have the same functional group. Each member differs from the next by a common
strutural unit (usually -CH2-).
- They can usually be described by a general molecular formula - e.g. C(n)H(2n+2) for
alkanes and C(n)H(2n) for alkenes.
- Members of the same series have similar chemical properties.
- Members of the series show a gradation in physical properties such as boiling point.
Chemical properties - ANSWER-How a substance reacts.
Functional group - ANSWER-A functional group is the atom or group of atoms in a
molecule that gives it its chemical properties - this is the reactive part of the molecule.
Alkenes - ANSWER-Funcional group: C=C
Functional group name: alkenyl
General name: alk-x-ene (or x-alkene)
General molecular formula: C(n)H(2n)
Alkynes - ANSWER-Functional group: C≡C
Functional group name: alkynyl
General name: alk-x-yne (or x-alkyne)
Alcohol - ANSWER-Functional group: -OH
Detailed exam solutions verified for
accuracy
Organic chemistry - ANSWER-Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds,
and specifically compounds containing the C-H bond.
Catenation - ANSWER-The property of carbon where carbon atoms can join together to
form chains and rings.
Alkanes - ANSWER-A homologous series; Family of hydrocarbons.
The compounds are all straight-chain alkanes, and the molecular formula of all alkanes
can be represented by the general formula C(n)H(2n+2).
Functional group name: alkyl
General name: alkane
Hydrocarbon - ANSWER-A compound containing only carbon and hydrogen
Empirical formula - ANSWER-The simplest whole number ratio of the elements present
in a compound.
Molecular formula - ANSWER-The total number of atoms of each element present in a
molecule of the compound. A molecular formula is an integer multiple of the empirical
formula.
Full structural formula - ANSWER-Also called a displayed or graphic formula; shows all
the atoms and bonds in a molecule.
Although we draw the full structural formula with 90° bond angles, it must be
remembered that with four electron pairs around each carbon atom, the shape is
tetrahedral around each one.
, Condensed structural formula - ANSWER-The simplest representation that shows how
the atoms are joined together in a molecule. (e.g. CH3CH3)
Skeletal formula - ANSWER-Very convenient and widely used for drawing more
complex molecules.
Drawn with lines, where each bend represents a carbon atom.
Skeletal formulas should not be used in examinations unless specifically requested.
Homologous series - ANSWER-A homologous series is a series of compounds that
have the same functional group. Each member differs from the next by a common
strutural unit (usually -CH2-).
- They can usually be described by a general molecular formula - e.g. C(n)H(2n+2) for
alkanes and C(n)H(2n) for alkenes.
- Members of the same series have similar chemical properties.
- Members of the series show a gradation in physical properties such as boiling point.
Chemical properties - ANSWER-How a substance reacts.
Functional group - ANSWER-A functional group is the atom or group of atoms in a
molecule that gives it its chemical properties - this is the reactive part of the molecule.
Alkenes - ANSWER-Funcional group: C=C
Functional group name: alkenyl
General name: alk-x-ene (or x-alkene)
General molecular formula: C(n)H(2n)
Alkynes - ANSWER-Functional group: C≡C
Functional group name: alkynyl
General name: alk-x-yne (or x-alkyne)
Alcohol - ANSWER-Functional group: -OH
