Organic Chemistry Basics

Study Notes

Perfluorocarbons are hydrocarbons where hydrogen atoms are replaced by fluorine.
The formula for pentane is C₅H₁₂.
The formula for butene is C₄H₈.
A hydrocarbon contains only carbon and hydrogen.
Ethane is a saturated compound.
Hexene is an alkene.
Heptyne is an alkyne.
Heptane is an alkane.
Benzene is an unsaturated hydrocarbon, but it does not react the same as other unsaturated hydrocarbons.
CFCs are gases or liquids with low boiling points.
Chlorinated hydrocarbons are used as insecticides.
The symbol R in organic formulas represents an alkyl group.
Organic compounds are classified by their functional groups.
Aldehydes and ketones share a carbonyl functional group.
Esters are often used as fragrances.
Monomers are the small building blocks of polymers.

The word polymer means many parts.
PTFE is another name for Teflon.
Teflon is used in nonstick cookware.
Plexiglass is a polymethyl methacrylate polymer used as a glass substitute; it has a high Tg.
Recycling is the most desirable way to manage plastic waste.
Polyethylene is the simplest synthetic polymer.
Starch is a naturally occurring polymer.
Wool and silk are protein polymers.
The first practical application of celluloid was billiard balls.
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) has linear, unbranched chains in a close packing arrangement.

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) has highly branched, non-linear chains in a diffuse packing arrangement.
LDPE is often used in plastic bags.
Thermoplastic polymers can be heated and reformed.
The monomer used to make Teflon is F₂CCF₂.
Vulcanization makes rubber hard.
Isoprene is the monomer used to make natural rubber.
Plastics make up 12% of solid waste by mass.
Some plastics release poisonous gases when burned.
Silicones are not used in garbage bags.

Polyacetylene is a polymer that conducts electricity.
Animal starch is called glycogen.
Nitrogen is NOT found in carbohydrates.
Fructose is a monosaccharide.
Starch is a polysaccharide found in potatoes and cereal grains.
Glucose is the monomer unit in amylopectin.
Sucrose is a disaccharide.
Glycogen is a polymer NOT made by plants.
Unsaturated fats are often liquids called oils.
Fats are differentiated from oils by their melting points.
Triglycerides are another name for fats.
Animal fats are solid and contain a smaller proportion of unsaturated fats.
Amino acids contain both -NH₂ and -COOH functional groups.
A zwitterion is a compound with a positive and negative charge.
Protein is a polymer of amino acids.
Proteins are also polyamides.
Polypeptides are small molecules with more than 10 amino acids.
The primary structure of a protein is determined by the order of amino acids.
The secondary structure of a protein is determined by hydrogen bonding, creating shapes like alpha-helices and beta-pleated sheets.
Quaternary structure is determined by interactions between different protein chains.
Enzymes are catalysts.
The active site in an enzyme is where the substrate attaches.