Organic Chemistry Key Concepts

Organic Chemistry

• Definition: Study of carbon-containing compounds and their properties, structures, and reactions.

• Key Functional Groups:

  • Alcohols: -OH group; polar; soluble in water.
  • Aldehydes: -CHO group; carbonyl at end of carbon chain.
  • Ketones: -C=O group; carbonyl in the middle of carbon chain.
  • Carboxylic Acids: -COOH group; acidic properties.
  • Esters: Derived from acids; -COOR group.
  • Amines: Contain nitrogen; basic properties.

• Isomerism:

  • Structural Isomers: Different connectivity of atoms.
  • Stereoisomers: Same connectivity; different spatial arrangement.
    • Geometric Isomers: Cis-trans variations.
    • Enantiomers: Non-superimposable mirror images.

• Nomenclature: Systematic naming based on IUPAC rules; identifies longest carbon chain, functional groups, and substituents.

Conversions of Alkyl Halides

• Definition: Alkyl halides are organic compounds containing a halogen atom bonded to an alkyl group.

• Conversion Reactions:

  • Nucleophilic Substitution:

    • SN1 Mechanism: Two-step process; formation of carbocation intermediate; favored by tertiary alkyl halides.
    • SN2 Mechanism: One-step process; involves backside attack; favored by primary alkyl halides.

  • Elimination Reactions:

    • E1 Mechanism: Two-step process; formation of a carbocation; produces alkenes; favored by tertiary alkyl halides.
    • E2 Mechanism: One-step process; simultaneous removal of hydrogen and halide; favored by bulky bases.

• Reduction Reactions:

  • Alkyl halides can be reduced to alkanes using zinc or lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH4).

• Applications:

  • Synthesis of alcohols, alkenes, and other functional groups.
  • Important in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and polymer industries.

• Reactivity Trends:

  • Reactivity decreases with increasing carbon chain length and steric hindrance.
  • Primary alkyl halides are more reactive in SN2, while tertiary are more reactive in SN1.

Organic Chemistry

• Definition: Examines carbon-based compounds, their structures, properties, and reactions.
• Key Functional Groups:
  • Alcohols: Characterized by -OH group, exhibit polarity, and are water-soluble.
  • Aldehydes: Contain -CHO group with a carbonyl positioned at the end of the chain.
  • Ketones: Feature -C=O group with carbonyl located within the chain.
  • Carboxylic Acids: Identified by -COOH group, exhibiting acidic properties.
  • Esters: Formed from acids with the -COOR group.
  • Amines: Contain nitrogen, displaying basic properties.
• Isomerism:
  • Structural Isomers: Differ in atom connectivity.
  • Stereoisomers: Inform same connectivity but differ in spatial arrangement.
  • Geometric Isomers: Include cis-trans forms.
  • Enantiomers: Non-superimposable mirror images, creating chirality.
• Nomenclature: Follows IUPAC guidelines; includes longest carbon chain, functional groups, and substituents.

Conversions of Alkyl Halides

• Definition: Organic compounds with a halogen atom bonded to an alkyl group, known as alkyl halides.
• Conversion Reactions:
  • Nucleophilic Substitution:
    • SN1 Mechanism: A two-step process involving carbocation formation; favored by tertiary alkyl halides.
    • SN2 Mechanism: A one-step process that requires backside attack; favored by primary alkyl halides.
  • Elimination Reactions:
    • E1 Mechanism: Similar to SN1, it's a two-step process resulting in alkenes; favored by tertiary alkyl halides.
    • E2 Mechanism: A one-step process where hydrogen and halide are removed simultaneously; favored by bulky bases.
  • Reduction Reactions: Alkyl halides can be reduced to alkanes using zinc or lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH4).
• Applications: Vital for synthesizing alcohols, alkenes, and other functional groups; influential in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and polymer development.
• Reactivity Trends:
  • Reactivity diminishes with longer carbon chains and increased steric hindrance.
  • Primary alkyl halides more reactive in SN2 reactions; tertiary halides more reactive in SN1.