Organic Chemistry Basics
Build your organic chemistry foundation with this essential flashcard deck covering the key concepts, functional groups, and reaction types you need to know. Organic chemistry studies carbon-containing compounds and is fundamental to biology, medicine, materials science, and the pharmaceutical industry. This deck covers IUPAC nomenclature, hydrocarbons (alkanes, alkenes, alkynes), aromatic compounds, and the major functional groups including alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, amines, and amides — along with their properties and characteristic reactions. Essential for AP Chemistry, A-Level, and first-year university organic chemistry courses.
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Question
What is organic chemistry?
Answer
The study of carbon-containing compounds. Carbon is unique — it forms 4 bonds and chains of virtually unlimited length with itself and other elements, enabling millions of compounds.
Question
What is a functional group?
Answer
An atom or group of atoms in an organic molecule that determines its characteristic chemical reactions and properties. The rest of the molecule is usually an inert carbon chain (R group).
Question
What are hydrocarbons?
Answer
Organic compounds containing only carbon and hydrogen. Classified as alkanes (single bonds), alkenes (double bonds), alkynes (triple bonds), and aromatic (benzene ring).
Question
What are alkanes and what is their general formula?
Answer
Hydrocarbons with only single C–C bonds — fully saturated. General formula: CₙH₂ₙ₊₂. Examples: methane (CH₄), ethane (C₂H₆), propane (C₃H₈).
Question
What are the first 10 alkane names?
Answer
Methane (C1), Ethane (C2), Propane (C3), Butane (C4), Pentane (C5), Hexane (C6), Heptane (C7), Octane (C8), Nonane (C9), Decane (C10).
Question
What are alkenes and what is their general formula?
Answer
Hydrocarbons with at least one C=C double bond — unsaturated. General formula: CₙH₂ₙ. Examples: ethene (C₂H₄), propene (C₃H₆). More reactive than alkanes.
Question
What are alkynes and what is their general formula?
Answer
Hydrocarbons with at least one C≡C triple bond. General formula: CₙH₂ₙ₋₂. Examples: ethyne/acetylene (C₂H₂). Very reactive and used in welding torches.
Question
What is benzene and why is it special?
Answer
Benzene (C₆H₆) is an aromatic hydrocarbon with a ring of 6 carbons and delocalized π electrons. It is unusually stable due to resonance. Basis of all aromatic compounds.
Question
What is an alcohol functional group?
Answer
Contains an –OH (hydroxyl) group bonded to a carbon chain. General formula: R–OH. Examples: methanol (CH₃OH), ethanol (C₂H₅OH). Properties: polar, hydrogen bonding, high boiling point.
Question
What are primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols?
Answer
Classified by how many carbon atoms are bonded to the carbon bearing the –OH group. Primary (1°): 1 carbon. Secondary (2°): 2 carbons. Tertiary (3°): 3 carbons.
Question
What is an aldehyde functional group?
Answer
Contains a –CHO group (carbonyl C=O at end of chain). General formula: R–CHO. Examples: formaldehyde (HCHO), ethanal (CH₃CHO). Have a distinctive sharp smell.
Question
What is a ketone functional group?
Answer
Contains a C=O group bonded to two carbon atoms (carbonyl in the middle of chain). General formula: R–CO–R'. Example: propanone/acetone (CH₃COCH₃). Used as a solvent.
Question
What is a carboxylic acid functional group?
Answer
Contains a –COOH group. General formula: R–COOH. Examples: methanoic acid (HCOOH), ethanoic acid (CH₃COOH/acetic acid). Weak acids with sharp, sour smells.
Question
What is an ester functional group and how is it formed?
Answer
Contains a –COO– group. Formed by reaction of carboxylic acid + alcohol (esterification). Example: ethyl ethanoate (CH₃COOC₂H₅). Responsible for fruity smells and flavors.
Question
What is an ether functional group?
Answer
Contains an –O– group between two carbon chains. General formula: R–O–R'. Example: diethyl ether (C₂H₅OC₂H₅). Used as a solvent and historically as an anesthetic.
Question
What is an amine functional group?
Answer
Contains a –NH₂ group (or substituted versions –NHR or –NR₂). Amines are basic and have strong, fishy smells. Example: methylamine (CH₃NH₂). Building blocks of amino acids.
Question
What is an amide functional group?
Answer
Contains a –CONH₂ group (carbonyl + amine). Formed from carboxylic acid + amine. Example: ethanamide (CH₃CONH₂). The peptide bond in proteins is an amide bond.
Question
What is isomerism in organic chemistry?
Answer
When two or more compounds have the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements. Structural isomers differ in connectivity. Stereoisomers differ in spatial arrangement.
Question
What are cis and trans isomers?
Answer
A type of geometric stereoisomerism in alkenes. Cis: Same groups on same side of double bond. Trans: Same groups on opposite sides. Different physical properties (boiling points, polarity).
Question
What is addition reaction?
Answer
A reaction where atoms are added across a double or triple bond, converting it to a single bond. Example: ethene + H₂ → ethane (hydrogenation). Typical of alkenes.
Question
What is substitution reaction in organic chemistry?
Answer
A reaction where one atom or group is replaced by another. Typical of alkanes (e.g., halogenation: CH₄ + Cl₂ → CH₃Cl + HCl in UV light).
Question
What is elimination reaction?
Answer
A reaction where atoms are removed from adjacent carbons, forming a double bond. Opposite of addition. Example: dehydration of alcohol → alkene + water.
Question
What is polymerization?
Answer
The process of joining many small monomer molecules into a large polymer chain. Addition polymerization: monomers with double bonds join without losing atoms (e.g., polyethylene from ethene).
Question
What is IUPAC nomenclature?
Answer
The systematic naming system for organic compounds. Rules: 1. Find the longest carbon chain. 2. Number from the end closest to a substituent. 3. Name substituents as prefixes. 4. Use suffixes for functional groups (-ol, -al, -one, -oic acid).
Question
What are the major organic reaction types to know?
Answer
1. Addition (alkenes) 2. Substitution (alkanes, benzene) 3. Elimination (alcohols → alkenes) 4. Oxidation (primary alcohol → aldehyde → carboxylic acid) 5. Esterification (acid + alcohol → ester + water) 6. Hydrolysis (breaking bonds with water)