SCH4U - INTRODUCTION TO ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Organic chemistry is the largest field in chemistry due to some special features of the
carbon atom:
a)
b)
c)
d)
carbon can form 4 covalent bonds with itself and other atoms
carbon can form single, double and triple bonds with itself and other atoms
carbon can form long, stable chains with itself
carbon can form stable closed rings with itself
These characteristics of the carbon atom allow it to form an almost limitless number of
different molecules.
Molecular Formula vs Structural Formula
Due to the complexity and diversity of carbon compounds, molecular formula are
almost useless when describing an organic compound.
Consider the molecular formula:
C6H14
This molecular formula actually represents many different compounds that differ in the
way the atoms are bonded together. Chemists use structural formula to distinguish
these different molecular forms and hence, different compouds.
Structural formula may be shown in different ways: extended structural formula,
condensed structural formula or the highly simplified “stick diagram”
extended structural
formula
condensed structural
formula
stick diagram
The molecules in the above table are all structural isomers of the formula C6H14.
Molecules with the same molecular formula, but different structural formula are
called structural isomers.
Molecules with Multiple Bonds and Rings
Condensed Structural Formula
Stick diagram
SCH4U: Introduction to Organic Chemistry
A)
Hydrocarbons and Organic Nomenclature (Txt. Ref. Ch. 1.2)
1)
Define the following terms: hydrocarbon, alkane, alkene, alkyne, cyclic
hydrocarbon, aliphatic hydrocaron, alkyl group, structural isomer.
2)
IUPAC Nomenclature for organic compounds is based on a “prefix” - “suffix”
system. The “prefix” indicates the number of carbon atoms in the “parent
hydrocarbon” molecule. The “suffix” specifies the organic family that the
compound belongs to.
Hydrocarbons can be classifed into three main families: alkanes, alkenes and
alkynes. What is the “suffix” that identifies each of these families?
What is the “prefix” for a parent molecule containing the following number of
carbon atoms: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
Give the name chemical formula for the first 10 alkanes.
What is the name and formula for an alkyl group consiting of the following
number of carbon atoms: 1, 2, 3.
a)
b)
c)
d)
3)
Read the rules and examples for naming alkanes, alkenes and alkynes.
Complete problems: pg. 15-16 #1, 2, pg. 18-19 #5,6.
B)
Functional Groups (Txt. Ref. Ch. 1.1)
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Define the terms: organic family, functional group.
What type of properties can a functional group impart to an organic molecule?
Would hydrocarbons be considered polar or non-polar molecules? Explain.
What are the three main components of functional groups?
Complete problems: pg. 10 (practice #2, 3), (Questions #1, 2, 3)