Basic Organic Chemistry

Carbon is the key! Carbon (C+4) can form 4 covalent bonds(4 bonding sites). The number of bonds other elements can make is determined by the number of unpaired valence electrons. Example: H can form one covalent bond, C can form 4 covalent bonds, O can form 2 covalent bonds.

Methane and Ethane (2 basic alkanes) Follow the formula : CnH(2n+2) All single bonds, C has 4, H has 1

Propane (left) Butane (right) Each C has 4 bonds, each H has 1 bond Each follows the formula: CnH(2n+2) These hydrocarbon compounds are “saturated”. Why?

Pentane and Octane What is the formula for Pentane (5)? (CnH2n+2) What is the formula for Octane (8)? (CnH2n+2) Can you draw each of these?

Structure of Pentane and Octane

Alkenes Contain only C and H, are unsaturated because they have at least 1 double bond. Naming follows the same pattern as for the Alkanes. Ethene, Propene, Butene, etc.

Ethene Formula is CnH2n Use the same naming system as for the alkanes, except the names end in –ene instead of –ane Example: From L to R, Ethene (2C), propene (3C), butene (4C)

Alkynes C & H atoms combine with at least 1 TRIPLE covalent bond. Formula is CnH2n-2 Naming follows the same format as alkanes: (Left to Right ) ethyne, propyne, butyne, Why can’t there be a “methyne”?

Isomers are molecules with the same formula (components) but the structure can be slightly different. Both structures below have the same formula and follow the rules, thus they are ISOMERs of one another.

Common Functional Groups F, Cl, Br, I : Alkyl Halide -OH :alcohol (CH3OH is methyl alcohol/methanol) -O- : ether (CH3OCH3) is dimethyl ether -NH2: Amine (CH3NH2 is methyl amine)

Here are some odd ones. Benzene (ring structure/alternating double and single bonds. (C6H6) Dimethyl ketone (acetone)

More functional groups on the back of your worksheet. Aldehyde Ketone Acyl chloride

More functional groups Carboxylic acid Ester Amide