Classes of Organic Compounds Flashcards

Study Notes

Classes of Organic Compounds

Alcohols are characterized by the hydroxy group (-OH).
Carboxylic acids contain the carboxyl group (COOH), which defines their properties.
Ethers are defined by the presence of an oxygen atom bonded between two carbon groups (-O-).
Aldehydes contain the carbonyl group (CHO) with a hydrogen atom bonded to the carbon.
Ketones feature a carbonyl group (O=C) bonded to two carbon atoms.
Esters are formed by the combination of a carbonyl and an ether group (O=C-O).
Amines are characterized by the presence of a nitrogen atom bonded to two hydrogen atoms (R-NH2).

Naming Alcohols

The longest carbon chain containing the -OH group determines the base name.
The carbon with the -OH group receives the lowest possible number in the chain.
To derive the name, replace the final -e of the alkane with -ol.
Other substituents are named according to standard naming conventions.

Specific Alcohol Examples

2-Pentanol: The -OH group is attached to the second carbon of the pentane chain.
3-Hexanol: The -OH group is on the third carbon of the hexane chain.
3-chloro-1-propanol: Indicates both a chloro substituent and a hydroxyl group on the propane chain.

Aldehyde and Ketone Naming

Aldehyde names are derived by replacing the alkane's final -e with -al.
Ketone names involve changing the final -e to -one and indicating the position of the carbonyl group when necessary.
Both aldehydes and ketones originate from the carbonyl group.

Distinguishing Aldehydes and Ketones

Aldehydes have a hydrogen atom bonded to the carbonyl carbon, whereas ketones do not.
If the carbonyl group is at the first position, the number "1" is typically omitted in the name.

Carboxylic Acids and Esters

Carboxylic acids are identified by the carboxyl group (COOH).
Ethanoic acid (vinegar) derives its name from ethane by replacing the final -e with -oic.
Esters are formed through the reaction of an alcohol and a carboxylic acid, resulting in an ester and water.

Alkyl Halides

Alkyl halides contain at least one halogen atom from Group 17, including fluorine (fluoro), chlorine (chloro), bromine (bromo), and iodine (iodo).
These compounds can be located in designated sections in chemical tables, such as Table R.

Characteristics of Functional Groups

The functional groups in these compounds determine their chemical behaviors and properties.
Alcohols and aldehydes display polarity, enhancing their solubility in various solvents.

Miscellaneous

A dehydrogenated alcohol refers to an alcohol where a hydrogen atom has been removed, typically leading to the formation of an aldehyde.
The functional group position in compounds is crucial for naming and reactivity, often marked by the number 1 when located at the beginning of the chain.

Description

Test your knowledge of various classes of organic compounds, including Alcohols, Carboxylic Acids, Ketones, and more. Each flashcard contains a specific functional group along with its chemical representation. Perfect for chemistry students looking to reinforce their understanding of organic chemistry terminology.