Basic concepts of organic chemistry
Select Lesson
Exam Board
Select an option
Practical skills
Modern analytical techniques II
Organic chemistry III
Organic chemistry II
Kinetics II
Transition metals
Redox II
Energetics II
Acid-base equilibria
Equilibrium II
Kinetics I
Energetics I
Organic chemistry I
Formulae, equations and amounts of substances
Inorganic chemistry and the periodic table
Bonding and structure
Explainer Video
Summary
Basic concepts of organic chemistry
In a nutshell
Organic compounds can be represented in different ways. All organic compounds belong to a homologous series/group and have a systematic name following the IUPAC rules.
Representing organic compounds
Organic compounds are classed as aliphatic or aromatic compounds, depending on their carbon skeleton. Compounds with a non-aromatic ring are classed as alicyclic. There are many ways to represent organic compounds.
formula | definition | example(using pentanoic acid) |
| General formula | The algebraic expression for a homologous group of compounds. | |
| Empirical formula | The simplest whole number ratio of atoms of each element present in a compound. This may be the same as the molecular formula. | |
| Molecular formula | The actual number of atoms of each element present in a compound. | |
| Structural formula | Shows the composition and arrangement of atoms in a compound, without displaying the bonds. | |
| Displayed formula | Shows the composition and arrangement of atoms, including the bonds, in a compound. |  |
| Skeletal formula | Shows the composition and arrangement of atoms using a carbon skeleton. The carbons and hydrogens are not displayed. |  |
Homologous series
A homologous series is a group of organic compounds that have the same functional group and general formula and have similar properties. Members in a homologous series differ by .
Here are a list of homologous series you need to know.
homologous series | Prefix/suffix | example |
| Alkanes | -ane | ethane |
| Branched alkanes (alkyl groups) | alkyl-/-yl | methylbutane |
| Cycloalkanes | cyclo-...ane | cyclopentane |
| Alkenes | -ene | ethene |
| Halogenoalkanes (haloalkanes; alkyl halides) | chloro-; bromo-; iodo- | chloromethane |
| Alcohols | hydroxy-/-ol | e.g.1/ methanol e.g.2/ hydroxybutanoic acid |
| Aldehydes | -al | propanal |
| Ketones | -one | propanone |
| Carboxylic acids | -oic acid | pentanoic acid |
Nomenclature
Nomenclature is the way an organic compound is named. The IUPAC system is used internationally for chemistry and each organic compound can be given a systematic name using this system.
Before you can begin naming the organic compound, you need know how to name the parent chain.
no. of carbons | | | | | | | | | | |
name of parent chain | meth- | eth- | prop- | but- | pent- | hex- | hept- | oct- | non- | dec- |
procedure
| 1. | Count the number carbon atoms in the longest continuous chain. This will be the parent chain. |
| 2. | Identify the homologous series by determining the main functional group. This will allow you to correctly use the most appropriate prefix or suffix. |
| 3. | Number the longest chain so the main functional group has the lowest possible carbon number. |
| 4. | Identify the rest of the substituents and the carbon number they are on, in the parent chain. |
| 5. | If the same substituent appears more than once they can be indicated by the prefix, di-, tri-, tetra-, etc. |
| 6. | If there are two or more different substituents, list them in alphabetical order. |
| 7. | Place a hyphen between numbers and letters and a comma between numbers. |
Example
1. The longest chain is four carbons long so the parent chain is but-
2-3. The main functional group is the carboxylic acid which is on carbon one.
4. There is an alcohol on carbon two but the suffix is taken by the carboxyl so you will need to use the prefix hydroxy-. There is also a methyl on carbon two.
5. There are no duplicates of any substituents.
6. The alcohol group will be named before the methyl because the letter h (hydroxy-) comes before m in the alphabet.
The name of the molecule is .
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
What is represented in a structural formula?
The structural formula shows the composition and arrangement of atoms in a compound, without displaying the bonds.
What is the parent chain in an organic molecule?
The parent chain is the longest continuous chain in an organic molecule.
What is the general formula of a compound?
The general formula of a compound is the algebraic expression for a homologous group of compounds.