Functional group: An atom or group of atoms that form the centre of chemical activity in a molecule
Hydrocarbon: Compound containing only carbon and hydrogen atoms
Homologous series: Series of similar compounds which have the same functional group and same
general formula, in which each member di ers from the previous one by a single CH2 unit
Pre xes: Root name:
1. mono 1. meth
2. di 2. eth
3. tri 3. prop
4. tetra 4. but
5. penta 5. pent
6. hexa 6. hex
7. hepta 7. hept
8. octa 8. oct
Alkanes:
• Hydrocarbons with only carbon-carbon single bonds
• eg. methane:
ethane:
propane:
butane:
fi
, • General formula: T n = Cn + H2n+2
Alkenes:
• Hydrocarbons with at least one carbon-carbon double bond
• eg. ethene:
propene:
butene:
• Functional group: C=C
• General formula: T n = CnH2n
Isomers:
Compounds that have the same molecular formula but di erent structural formulae (have di erent
names)
• Positional isomers: Functional group is in a di erent location eg. but-1-ene and but-2-ene
• Chain isomers: Longest continuous carbon chain is a di erent length eg. butane & methylpropane
• Functional isomers: Molecules have di erent functional groups eg. ethanoic acid & methyl
methanoate
Saturated compound: Compound in which all the of bonds between carbon atoms are single bonds
eg. alkanes
Unsaturated compound: Compound in which there is at least one double bond and/or triple bond
between carbon atoms eg. alkenes (more reactive)
IUPAC Naming rules: for alkanes:
1. Find and name longest carbon chain