No. of carbons:
meth- 1, eth- 2, prop- 3, but- 4, pent- 5, hex- 6, hept- 7, oct- 8, non- 9, dec- 10
Nomenclature IUPAC rules for naming organic compounds;
- count carbons on longest carbon chain
- use functional groups as prefixes or suffixes
- other side chains are prefixes in alphabetical order, after no. carbon they are attached to
- multiple identical side groups use di(2) tri(3) or tetra(4) before the name of their group.
General formula – the simplest algebraic formula of a member if a homologous series
Structural formula – written minimal detail that shows the arrangement of atoms in a molecule
Displayed formula – relative positioning of atoms and the bonds between them
Skeletal formula – the simplified organic formula, shown by removing hydrogen atoms from alkyl chains, leaving just a carbon skeleton and associated functional groups
Functional Groups
Homologous series – a series of organic compounds having the same functional group but with each successive member differing by CH2
Functional group – a group of atoms responsible for the characteristic reactions of a compound
Alkyl group – of formula CnH2n+1 (can be represented in diagrams as ‘R’)
Aliphatic – a compound containing carbon and hydrogen joined together in straight chains, branched chains or non-aromatic rings
Alicyclic – an aliphatic compound arranged in non-aromatic rings with or without side chains
Saturated – single carbon-carbon bonds only, no double bonds
Unsaturated – the presence of multiple carbon-carbon bonds (double or triple) and aromatic rings
Isomerism
Structural isomers – compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulae
Reaction Mechanisms
Covalent bond fissions
homolytic fission – each bonding atom receiving one electron from the bonded pair, forming two radicals
Heterolytic fission – one bonded atom receiving both electrons from the bonded pair and the other receiving none
Radical – a species with an unpaired electron (dots • represent the electron in mechanisms)
Curly arrow – represents the movement of a lone pair of electrons in a mechanism (always starting from a bond, a lone pair of electrons or a negative charge)