Tips for Organic Chemistry SuccessIn order to successfully understand the various types of Organic molecules you should be able to identify each of the following for each type of molecule:

• Structural characteristics (know the functional group)• Nomenclature (the rules for naming the molecules)• Physical and Chemical properties (basic/simple)• Occurrence and uses (common)• Preparation (what basic reactions produce the molecules)• Characteristic reactions of the molecules

For additional help, check out the Organic Chemistry section of the following website:

• http://www.khanacademy.org/#browse

Organic vs. Inorganic Compounds

Inorganic compounds: cpds which are NOT hydrocarbons (~1.5 million)

Organic compounds: cpds which contain hydrogen & carbon (thus, hydrocarbons & derivatives) (~ 7 million)“Organic Chemistry” started, as a branch of chemistry, when F. Wohler

disproved the idea of “vital force.”- previously, it was thought that there were two types of matter (based on heating):

melting/freezingcooking (required “vital force”)

Carbon AtomsCarbon atoms generally form 4 bonds (think about their electron configuration)

In “organic” compounds these bonds are typically COVALENT.Carbon readily forms bonds with other carbon atoms as well as with atoms of other elements.Carbons w/ H’s attached are known as alkyl groups.

• -CH3 methyl• -CH2CH3 ethyl

Hydrocarbons & their Derivatives

Hydrocarbons: H & C atoms only (the C & H atoms

form the backbone of all organic molecules)Derivatives: H, C & other elements

Saturated Hydrocarbons: all C-C bonds are “single.”– Alkanes and their derivatives

Unsaturated Hydrocarbons: one or more C-C bond(s) is/are multiple.– Alkenes, alkynes, aromatics & their derivatives

Basic Structural Features

Chains of atoms

Rings of atoms

Shapes of Organic MoleculesThe # of effective e- pairs around a center atom will determine the geometry of the molecule.

# e- pairs e- pair geometry

2 pairs linear

3 pairs trigonal planar

4 pairs tetrahedralRemember, the e- pair geometry and the molecular geometry are NOT necessarily the same!

Drawing Organic Molecules

Complete Structures: draw all atoms and all bonds, showing relative shapes

Condensed Structures: write each alkyl (CHx) group separately.

Skeletal Structures: carbon atoms at each line junction, assume enough H’s; draw all heteroatoms & their H’s.

Naming Organic Molecules

The number of carbons in a chain is identified according to the following:– # C name beginning 1 meth-

2 eth-

3 prop-

4 but-

5 pent-

6 hex-

7 hept-

8 oct-

9 non-

10 dec-

The end of the name is based on C-C bonding:– All single C-C bonds -

end in “-ane”

– One or more double C-C bonds end in “-ene”

– One or more triple C-C bonds end in “-yne”

Functional Groups

Functional groups contain a heteroatom, a multiple bond, or both and provide characteristic chemical & physical properties.

Abbreviating the hydrocarbon backbone:

R - fcn’l grp

ex. R - Br alkyl halideR - OH alcohol (-OH is hydroxyl group)

R - COOH carboxylic acid (-COOH is carboxyl group)

Single vs. Double bonds to Heteroatoms

Single– Alkyl halides

– Alcohols

– Ethers

– Amines

Double (-C=O, carbonyl)

– Aldehydes

– Ketones

– Carboxylic Acids

– Amides

– Esters

Properties of Organic CpdsPolarity of molecule is determined by electronegativity differences and shape of molecule.

Solubility: most are soluble in organic solvents

water solubility is based on size of molecule &

polarity.

PollutantsOrganic pollutants affect the environment depending on their solubility.

Ex. DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichlorothane)

Crude Oil

Vitamins

Water soluble:– Lots of polar bonds &

polar fcn’l groups– Typically smaller

molecules– C and all the B’s

Water insoluble:– Lots of nonpolar

bonds and few polar fcn’l groups

– Typically larger molecules

– A, D, E, K