C.W. BAKER HIGH SCHOOL

Organic Chemistry

Prepared by Mrs. K.Schmidt, 5/03

Revised by M. Foster 5/05

Study of carbon containing compounds!

There are more organic chemicals than inorganic chemicals!

Properties of Organic Compounds

1. Nonpolar, covalent molecules (insoluble in water!!!)

2. Nonelectrolytes (exception is organic acids that are weak electrolytes)

3. Low melting points (weak intermolecular bonds!!)

4. Slow chemical reaction (require catalysts!!)

Isomers

Compounds that have the same molecular formula but different structural formulas.

As the number of atoms in a molecule increases, more isomers are possible.

Example: two isomers of C₅H₁₂ (pentane)

Saturated Organic Compounds

All carbons are single bonded

Unsaturated Organic Compounds

Contain at least 1 multiple bond between carbons

Homologous Series of Hydrocarbons

Groups of hydrocarbons with related structures and properties. The number of carbon atoms in the compound is given by the prefixes. Examples: meth=1; eth=2, etc.

A complete listing of required prefixes can be found in Table P.

1. Alkanes (Paraffin series)

a. All single bonded carbons

b. Saturated

c. Generalized formula, C_nH_2n+2

2. Alkenes (Olefin series)

a. Contain 1 double bond

b. Unsaturated

c. Generalized formula, C_nH_2n

3. Alkynes (Acetylene series)

a. Contain 1 triple bond

b. Unsaturated

c. Generalized formula, C_nH_2n-2

4. Benzene (Aromatics)

a. Ring structures

b. First member is benzene, second member is toluene

c. Generalized formula, C_nH_2n-6

Functional Groups

Specific group of atoms that identifies a family of organic compounds.

R = alkyl radical (any hydrogen or hydrocarbon group: -CH₃ (methyl), -C₂H₅ (ethyl))

5. Alcohols

a. Hydroxyl group, R- OH

b. End in –ol

c. Example: methanol (CH₃OH)

6. Organic Acids

a. Carboxyl group, R- COOH or

b. End in –ic acid

c. Example: ethanoic acid (more commonly known as acetic acid) CH₃COOH

7. Aldehydes

a. Functional group,

b.

end in –al.

c. Example: Butanal - CH₃CH₂CH₂CHO

8. Ketones

a. Functional group,

b. end in –one.

c. Example : propanone (CH₃COCH₃)

9. Ethers

a. Functional group, R¾O¾R

b. Name includes the name of the hydrocarbon chain on each side of the O atom.

c. Example: methyl ethyl ether (CH₃OC₂H₅ )

10. Esters

a. Functional group,

b. end in –ate.

c. Example: ethyl propanoate (CH₃CH₂COOC₂H₅)

11. Amines

a. Functional group, R¾N¾R

½

R

b. derivatives of ammonia

H

12. Amides ½

a. Functional group, R¾C¾N¾H

½½

O

H

13. Amino Acids

a. Functional group, N¾C¾C

R

Organic Reactions

14. Substitution

a. Replacing one kind of atom by another atom

b. Saturated hydrocarbons

c. Example: CH₄ + Cl₂ ® CH₃Cl + HCl

15. Addition

a. Adding 1 or more atoms at a double or triple bond

b. Unsaturated hydrocarbons

c. Example:

16. Fermentation

a. Making alcohols from sugar

b. Enzymes act as catalysts

c. Example: C₆H₁₂O₆ ®2C₂H₅OH + 2CO₂

17. Combustion (Oxidation) of Fuels

a. Hydrocarbon + O₂ ® CO₂ + H₂O

b. Exothermic reactions

18. Esterification

a. acid + alcohol ® ester

b. pleasant odors (Aromas of many fruits, flowers and perfumes are due to esters. )

c. Fats are esters made from glycerol and organic acids

19. Saponification

a. Making soaps (hydrolysis of fats)

20. Polymerization

a. Formation of a large molecule from smaller molecules called monomers.

b. Rubber, plastics, proteins, starches

c. Types of polymerization

i. Condensation polymerization

ii. removal of water to bond monomers

iii. Addition polymerization - “opening” of a double or triple bond to bond monomers