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GCSE Chemistry 06 — Organic Chemistry

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Topics include Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry, Structural Isomerism, Crude Oil and Fractional Distillation, Combustion and Environmental Impact, Cracking of Hydrocarbons, Alkanes: Structure and Reactions, Alkenes: Bonding and Addition Reactions, and Alcohols: Structure and Properties.

Chemistry EN
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Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry

Core definitions including hydrocarbons, functional groups, and homologous series, along with the conventions for naming and representing organic molecules.

Key points

  • Hydrocarbon: A compound containing ONLY hydrogen and carbon atoms.
  • Homologous Series: A family of compounds with the same general formula, same functional group, similar chemical properties, and a trend in physical properties (e.g., boiling point).
  • Functional Group: The atom or group of atoms responsible for the characteristic reactions of a compound (e.g., −OH-OH for alcohols).
  • Nomenclature: Prefixes indicate carbon chain length: Meth- (1), Eth- (2), Prop- (3), But- (4). Mnemonic: Monkeys Eat Peanut Butter.
  • Formulae Types: Molecular (actual count), Empirical (simplest ratio), Structural (groupings e.g., CH3CH3CH_3CH_3), Displayed (all atoms/bonds shown).

Worked example

Question

A molecule has the molecular formula C4H10C_4H_{10}. Write its empirical formula and name the alkane with this formula.

Solution

1. Empirical Formula: Find the simplest ratio of C:H. 4:104:10 simplifies to 2:52:5. So, C2H5C_2H_5.
2. Naming: The molecule has 4 carbon atoms. The prefix for 4 is 'But-'. It fits the alkane general formula (CnH2n+2C_nH_{2n+2}).
3. Answer: Butane.

Common pitfalls

  • Confusing 'molecular' and 'structural' formula definitions.
  • Thinking 'hydrocarbon' can include oxygen (it must only contain H and C).
  • Forgetting that displayed formulas must show EVERY bond (including O-H).

Prerequisites

  • Covalent bonding (sharing electrons)
  • Valency of Carbon (4 bonds)
Further resources