8 Questions
What is the general formula for alkanes?
CnH2n+2
What type of isomerism involves different bond connectivity?
Structural isomerism
What is the suffix for alkenes in their nomenclature?
-ene
What is a characteristic of aromatic compounds?
High melting and boiling points
What is the general formula for alkynes?
CnH2n-2
What is the term for molecules with a non-superimposable mirror image?
Chiral
What type of reaction do alkenes undergo?
Electrophilic addition
What is the term for the study of the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in molecules?
Stereochemistry
Study Notes
Alkanes
- Saturated hydrocarbons with single bonds between carbon atoms
- General formula: CnH2n+2
- Nomenclature:
- Prefix: number of carbon atoms (meth-, eth-, prop-, etc.)
- Suffix: -ane
- Physical properties:
- Boiling points increase with molecular weight
- Solubility in water decreases with molecular weight
- Chemical properties:
- Undergo combustion reactions
- Can undergo substitution reactions with halogens
Alkenes
- Unsaturated hydrocarbons with one or more carbon-carbon double bonds
- General formula: CnH2n
- Nomenclature:
- Prefix: number of carbon atoms (eth-, prop-, etc.)
- Suffix: -ene
- Physical properties:
- Boiling points lower than alkanes with similar molecular weight
- Solubility in water decreases with molecular weight
- Chemical properties:
- Undergo addition reactions (electrophilic addition)
- Can undergo polymerization reactions
Alkynes
- Unsaturated hydrocarbons with one or more carbon-carbon triple bonds
- General formula: CnH2n-2
- Nomenclature:
- Prefix: number of carbon atoms (eth-, prop-, etc.)
- Suffix: -yne
- Physical properties:
- Boiling points lower than alkenes with similar molecular weight
- Solubility in water decreases with molecular weight
- Chemical properties:
- Undergo addition reactions (electrophilic addition)
- Can undergo polymerization reactions
Stereochemistry
- Study of the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in molecules
- Types of isomerism:
- Structural isomerism: different bond connectivity
- Stereoisomerism: same bond connectivity, different 3D arrangement
- Stereoisomers:
- Enantiomers: non-superimposable mirror images
- Diastereomers: non-superimposable, non-mirror images
- Chirality:
- Molecules with a non-superimposable mirror image are chiral
- Chiral molecules can rotate plane-polarized light
Aromatic Compounds
- Hydrocarbons with planar, ring-shaped molecules
- General formula: CnHn
- Nomenclature:
- Prefix: number of carbon atoms (benz-, tolu-, etc.)
- Suffix: -ene (not always present)
- Physical properties:
- High melting and boiling points
- Low solubility in water
- Chemical properties:
- Undergo electrophilic substitution reactions
- Can undergo nucleophilic substitution reactions
Alkanes
- General formula: CnH2n+2
- Nomenclature: prefix indicates number of carbon atoms, suffix is -ane
- Physical properties:
- Boiling points increase with molecular weight
- Solubility in water decreases with molecular weight
- Chemical properties:
- Undergo combustion reactions
- Can undergo substitution reactions with halogens
Alkenes
- General formula: CnH2n
- Nomenclature: prefix indicates number of carbon atoms, suffix is -ene
- Physical properties:
- Boiling points lower than alkanes with similar molecular weight
- Solubility in water decreases with molecular weight
- Chemical properties:
- Undergo addition reactions (electrophilic addition)
- Can undergo polymerization reactions
Alkynes
- General formula: CnH2n-2
- Nomenclature: prefix indicates number of carbon atoms, suffix is -yne
- Physical properties:
- Boiling points lower than alkenes with similar molecular weight
- Solubility in water decreases with molecular weight
- Chemical properties:
- Undergo addition reactions (electrophilic addition)
- Can undergo polymerization reactions
Stereochemistry
- Study of the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in molecules
- Isomerism types:
- Structural isomerism: different bond connectivity
- Stereoisomerism: same bond connectivity, different 3D arrangement
- Stereoisomers:
- Enantiomers: non-superimposable mirror images
- Diastereomers: non-superimposable, non-mirror images
- Chirality:
- Molecules with a non-superimposable mirror image are chiral
- Chiral molecules can rotate plane-polarized light
Aromatic Compounds
- General formula: CnHn
- Nomenclature: prefix indicates number of carbon atoms, suffix is -ene (not always present)
- Physical properties:
- High melting and boiling points
- Low solubility in water
- Chemical properties:
- Undergo electrophilic substitution reactions
- Can undergo nucleophilic substitution reactions
Learn about the properties and characteristics of alkanes and alkenes, including their general formula, nomenclature, physical and chemical properties, and reactions.
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