What is a homologous series?

A family of compounds with the same functional group and general formula, differing by CH₂ between members.

What is a functional group?

The atom or group of atoms that gives a compound its characteristic reactions.

What is the general formula of the alkanes? Of the alkenes?

Alkanes CₙH₂ₙ₊₂; alkenes CₙH₂ₙ.

What is the difference between a structural and a displayed formula?

A displayed formula shows every atom and bond; a structural formula shows the arrangement of atoms without all bonds.

What is shown in a skeletal formula?

The carbon skeleton as lines, with hydrogen on carbon left out; functional groups are shown.

List the prefixes for 5 to 10 carbons.

pent-, hex-, hept-, oct-, non-, dec-.

What is the rule for numbering a carbon chain?

Number from the end that gives the functional group the lowest number, then substituents.

What is an elimination reaction?

A small molecule is removed from a saturated molecule to form a C=C double bond.

Define oxidation and reduction in organic chemistry.

Oxidation: gain of oxygen or loss of hydrogen. Reduction: gain of hydrogen or loss of oxygen.

A reaction in which a bond is broken by reaction with water or aqueous hydroxide ions.

Introduction to organic chemistryEdexcel A-Level Chemistry: Flashcards

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What is a hydrocarbon?

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What is a hydrocarbon?: A compound that contains hydrogen and carbon only.
What is a homologous series?: A family of compounds with the same functional group and general formula, differing by CH₂ between members.
What is a functional group?: The atom or group of atoms that gives a compound its characteristic reactions.
What is the general formula of the alkanes? Of the alkenes?: Alkanes CₙH₂ₙ₊₂; alkenes CₙH₂ₙ.
What is the difference between a structural and a displayed formula?: A displayed formula shows every atom and bond; a structural formula shows the arrangement of atoms without all bonds.
What is shown in a skeletal formula?: The carbon skeleton as lines, with hydrogen on carbon left out; functional groups are shown.
List the prefixes for 5 to 10 carbons.: pent-, hex-, hept-, oct-, non-, dec-.
What is the name of CH₃CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃?: 2-methylbutane.
What is the rule for numbering a carbon chain?: Number from the end that gives the functional group the lowest number, then substituents.
What is the name of CH₃CHBrCH₃?: 2-bromopropane.
What is an elimination reaction?: A small molecule is removed from a saturated molecule to form a C=C double bond.
Define oxidation and reduction in organic chemistry.: Oxidation: gain of oxygen or loss of hydrogen. Reduction: gain of hydrogen or loss of oxygen.
What is hydrolysis?: A reaction in which a bond is broken by reaction with water or aqueous hydroxide ions.

Exam questions on Introduction to organic chemistry

A chemist analyses a compound X from a sample of fuel. X is a hydrocarbon that contains 85.7% carbon and 14.3% hydrogen by mass, has a relative molecular mass of 84.0 and decolourises bromine water.
Use the data to deduce the empirical formula and the molecular formula of X.2 marks
Compound Y has the structural formula (CH₃)₂CHCH₂CH₃ and is found in petrol.
Y reacts with chlorine in ultraviolet light to form a compound with the formula C₅H₁₁Cl. State the type of reaction and write the equation for the formation of C₅H₁₁Cl.2 marks
Organic chemists use IUPAC nomenclature so that every compound has a unique, systematic name.
Give the IUPAC names of (i) CH₃CH(OH)CH₂CH₃, (ii) (CH₃)₂C=CHCH₃ and (iii) CH₃CHBrCH₂CH₂CH₃.3 marks

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Written by the Exaim team, led by Shaun Daswani (Head of Upper Secondary, Improve ME Institute; MSc Financial Mathematics, Imperial College London; BSc, UCL) and Jason Daswani (operational lead, Improve ME Institute; LSE).