Organic Chemistry | Topic Notes
• Organic chemistry is the study of compounds of carbon.
• A functional group is an atom or group of atoms which is responsible for the
characteristic properties of a series of organic compounds.
Organic Chemistry Table
Homologous Series Functional Group Structure of Name Example
Group
Alkane Single bond - Propane
Alkene Double bond !Unexpected End Propene
of Formula
Alkyne Triple bond ≡ Propyne
Chloroalkane H’s replaced by Cl’s - Cl Chloropropane
Alcohol Hydroxyl - OH Propanol
Aldehyde Carbonyl (end) - C=O(H) Propanal
Ketone Carbonyl (middle) - C=O Propanone
Carboxylic Acid Carboxyl - C=OOH Propanoic Acid
Ester Bridging oxygen -COO- Methyl ethanoate
Organic Chemistry | Topic Notes 1
,Hydrocarbons: Compounds that contain carbon and hydrogen only.
Saturated: Contain only single bonds.
Homologous Series: A series of compounds of uniform chemical type, showing
graduation in physical properties with a general formula for it’s members. They have a
similar method of preparation.
Prefix No. of Carbons
Meth - 1
Eth - 2
Prop - 3
But - 4
Pent - 5
Hex - 6
Hept - 7
Oct - 8
Non - 9
Dec - 10
Mike Eats Pringles But Prefers Hula Hoops On Nasty Days.
2
,Tetrahedral Carbon Compounds
Alkanes are tetrahedral carbon compounds. These are a homologous series, most of
these alkanes are fairly un reactive and are found naturally occuring. For example
Methane can be made in a biomass degenerator,
i.e. letting manure decay under anaerobic conditions. Methane however forms an
explosive mixture with air.
A hydrocarbon is a compound that contains hydrogen and carbon only. Many
hydrocarbons again, are naturally occuring and have been formed in the earth over
millions of years, e.g. crude oil, coal etc...
A homologous series is a series of compounds of uniform chemical type.
• Showing gradations in physical properties
• Having a general formula for all of its members
• Each member differs from the previous member by a CH2 unit.
Tetrahedral bond angles = 109 degrees
There are 3 types of tetrahedral carbon compounds on our course:
• Alkanes
• Alcohols
Organic Chemistry | Topic Notes 3
, • Chloroalkanes
4
• Organic chemistry is the study of compounds of carbon.
• A functional group is an atom or group of atoms which is responsible for the
characteristic properties of a series of organic compounds.
Organic Chemistry Table
Homologous Series Functional Group Structure of Name Example
Group
Alkane Single bond - Propane
Alkene Double bond !Unexpected End Propene
of Formula
Alkyne Triple bond ≡ Propyne
Chloroalkane H’s replaced by Cl’s - Cl Chloropropane
Alcohol Hydroxyl - OH Propanol
Aldehyde Carbonyl (end) - C=O(H) Propanal
Ketone Carbonyl (middle) - C=O Propanone
Carboxylic Acid Carboxyl - C=OOH Propanoic Acid
Ester Bridging oxygen -COO- Methyl ethanoate
Organic Chemistry | Topic Notes 1
,Hydrocarbons: Compounds that contain carbon and hydrogen only.
Saturated: Contain only single bonds.
Homologous Series: A series of compounds of uniform chemical type, showing
graduation in physical properties with a general formula for it’s members. They have a
similar method of preparation.
Prefix No. of Carbons
Meth - 1
Eth - 2
Prop - 3
But - 4
Pent - 5
Hex - 6
Hept - 7
Oct - 8
Non - 9
Dec - 10
Mike Eats Pringles But Prefers Hula Hoops On Nasty Days.
2
,Tetrahedral Carbon Compounds
Alkanes are tetrahedral carbon compounds. These are a homologous series, most of
these alkanes are fairly un reactive and are found naturally occuring. For example
Methane can be made in a biomass degenerator,
i.e. letting manure decay under anaerobic conditions. Methane however forms an
explosive mixture with air.
A hydrocarbon is a compound that contains hydrogen and carbon only. Many
hydrocarbons again, are naturally occuring and have been formed in the earth over
millions of years, e.g. crude oil, coal etc...
A homologous series is a series of compounds of uniform chemical type.
• Showing gradations in physical properties
• Having a general formula for all of its members
• Each member differs from the previous member by a CH2 unit.
Tetrahedral bond angles = 109 degrees
There are 3 types of tetrahedral carbon compounds on our course:
• Alkanes
• Alcohols
Organic Chemistry | Topic Notes 3
, • Chloroalkanes
4
