Organic Chemistry Definitions Flashcards

Organic Compounds

• Composed of carbon atoms; may exist as gases, liquids, or solids.

Organic Chemistry

• Focuses on carbon-containing compounds, excluding certain oxides and ionic carbon compounds like carbonates and cyanides.

Hydrocarbon

• Defined as compounds solely made of carbon and hydrogen atoms.

Refining

• Involves both physical and chemical methods to separate complex mixtures into simpler, purer components.

Alkene

• Characterized by having one or more carbon-carbon double bonds; follows the formula CnH2n.

Alkyne

• Contains one or more carbon-carbon triple bonds; has a general formula of CnH2n-2.

Cycloalkene

• A cyclic hydrocarbon that includes at least one carbon-carbon double bond, forming a ring structure.

Cracking

• A process to break larger hydrocarbon molecules into smaller ones through high temperatures, optionally using catalysts.

Aliphatic

• Encompasses a diverse group of hydrocarbons, including straight or branched chains and rings of alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes, omitting aromatic compounds.

Alkane

• Composed solely of carbon-carbon single bonds; represented by the general formula CnH2n+2.

Homologous Series

• A series of chemically similar compounds, each differing by a constant unit (e.g., CH2).

Saturated Hydrocarbon

• Contains only carbon-carbon single bonds, providing complete hydrogen atom saturation.

Structural Isomer

• Shares the same molecular formula with another compound but possesses a distinct structural configuration.

Alkyl Branch

• A side chain consisting of carbon and hydrogen that connects to the main molecular structure through single bonds.

Cycloalkane

• A cyclic hydrocarbon where all carbon-carbon bonds are single-bonded; follows the formula CnH2n.

Hydrogenation

• Involves the addition of hydrogen to unsaturated hydrocarbons, reducing the number of multiple bonds.

Aromatic

• Refers to compounds that have a structure similar to that of benzene or benzene-like rings.

Phenyl Group

• Denoted as C6H5, it represents a benzene ring attached as a substituent to a main carbon chain.

Fractionation

• The process of separating components of crude oil based on their boiling point differences.

Fraction

• A specific product obtained through fractionation, characterized by its boiling-point range or the number of carbon atoms in its molecules.

Hydrocracking

• Combines catalytic cracking with hydrogenation to convert heavier feedstocks into lighter products, like gasoline.

Catalytic Reforming

• Converts naphtha fractions into aromatic gasoline molecules through a specialized chemical process.

Test your knowledge of key terms in organic chemistry with these flashcards. Each card features a definition that helps illuminate the principles of organic compounds and reactions. Perfect for students preparing for exams or anyone interested in mastering organic chemistry terminology.