Unit+9+-+Organic+Chemistry

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Organic Chemistry
Organic chemistry is the study of chemical compounds that contain carbon. 90% of all known compounds fall into this category. Carbon atoms bond to one another in many ways.

3 features in all organic compounds The basic prefixes for hydrocarbon based on the number of carbon atoms in the longest continuous chain 1- meth, 2- eth, 3- prop, 4- but, 5- pent, 6- hex, 7- hept, 8- oct
 * 1) Organic compounds are ordinarily molecular rather than ionic.
 * 2) Each Carbon atoms forms a total of four covalent bonds.
 * 3) Carbon atoms may be bonded to each other or to other nonmetal atoms.

Alkanes
Alkanes are hydrocarbons that contain only single bonds. Alkanes are also known as saturated hydrocarbons. The general formula of alkanes is CnH2n+2. The most basic Alkane is Methane (CH4) which makes up 80-90% of natural gas.

Alkenes
Alkenes are one of two types of unsaturated hydrocarbons and have 1 double bond. Alkenes have the general formula of CnH2n. Ethene is the simplest of the Alkenes and it is used to ripen unripe fruits.

Alkynes
Alkynes are the second of the two types of unsaturated hydrocarbons. All Alkynes have 1 triple bond. Alkynes have the general formula of CnH2n-2. Ethyne is the simplest alkyne and it is used as a gaseous fuel in welding.

**Structural Isomerism**
A structural isomer is defined as compounds that have the same molecular formulas but different molecular structures. An example of this would be C4H10 which can have two isomers, butane or 2-methylpropane.

**Optical Isomerism**
An optical isomer is when at least one carbon atom is bonded to four different things. The two different forms are mirror images and are not superimposable. A molecule which has two different forms that are not superimposable mirror images it is said to be **chiral**.

Functional Groups
In many oxygen-containing organic compounds, an oxygen atom is part of a **functional group**, which takes the place of one of the hydrogen atoms of a hydrocarbon.