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Organic Chemistry

Naming, functional groups, reactions of organic molecules

Organic Chemistry

Organic chemistry studies carbon-containing compounds. Key functional groups: alkanes (C-C), alkenes (C=C), alcohols (-OH), carboxylic acids (-COOH), esters (-COO-), amines (-NH2). IUPAC naming: longest chain, number from nearest functional group, name substituents, add suffix.
Example

Naming and Reactions

CH3CH2OH: 2 carbons (eth-) + alcohol (-ol) = ethanol. CH3COOH: ethanoic acid. Esterification: ethanol + ethanoic acid -> ethyl ethanoate + water. Addition reactions in alkenes; substitution in alkanes.
Note

Exam Tip

Learn homologous series, general formulae, and functional groups thoroughly. Practise structural, condensed structural, and molecular formulae. Understand addition, elimination, substitution, and esterification reactions.

Key Vocabulary

Functional groupAn atom or group that determines the chemical properties of an organic molecule
Homologous seriesA family of organic compounds with the same functional group and general formula
IUPAC namingThe standardised system for naming chemical compounds

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