4.1 BASIC CONCEPTS OF ORGANIC

Organic chemistry is the study of carbon containing compounds

Carbon is so versatile because each carbon atom can form four chemical bonds to other atoms. Carbon can form single, double or triple bonds and long carbon chains which can be straight, branched and even ringed. Carbon forms more than 10 million organic compounds.

Aliphatic contains carbon atoms joined together in straight chains

Alicyclic contains carbon atoms joined together in a ring that is not aromatic

Aromatic contains one or more benzene ring

Hydrocarbons are compounds containing only hydrogen and carbon atoms

Saturated hydrocarbons contain only single bonds. Unsaturated hydrocarbons contain at least one multiple carbon bond (double or triple)

Functional groups are the groups of atoms responsible for the characteristic reactions of a compound

Homologus series are a series of organic compounds having the same functional group but with each successive member different by CH2, e.g Alkanes

General formula is the simplest algebraic formula of a member of a homologus series, e.g Alkanes CnH2n+2

Displayed formula shows relative positioning of all the atoms in a molecule and the bonds between them

Structural formula shows minimal detail for the arrangement of atoms in a molecule

The skeletal formula is the simplified organic formula where hydrogen atoms are removed leaving carbon skeleton and functional groups -a line represents a bond -intersection between lines represents carbon atoms -end of line represents -CH3

Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons with single bonds -general formula CnH2n+2

Alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons with double bonds -general formula CnH2n

Alcohols have hydroxyl groups (OH)

Carboxylic acids have carboxyl groups (COOH)

To name alkanes: -find longest carbon chain -find functional groups –e.g 3,4 dimethylhexane

To name alicyclic alkanes: -prefix cyclo in front of stem to show carbon ring -same rules applied

To name alkenes: -procedure of alkanes -position of double bond must be stated if there are more than 4 carbons in longest chain -functional group must be given the lowest possible locant number

To name alcohols: -procedure of alkanes -however if another functional group is on the end it becomes the prefix hydroxy-

To name aldehydes: -same procedure of alkanes - -al used

To name ketones: -same procedure - -one used -carbonyl group position required

To name carboxylic acids: -same procedure - -anoic acid used