organic substances

• organic chemistry is the study of carbon based compounds that are formed using covalent bonds

• carbon is unusual in that it can form bonds with other carbon atoms

• it can form up to four bonds with other atoms

• there are different groups of organic substances with different physical and chemical properties which are dependant on specific groups of atoms called functional groups

general rules for naming organic compounds

• count the longest carbon chain,this forms part of the name

• 1 carbon = meth-

• 2carbons - eth-

• 3 carbons - prop-

• 4 carbons - but-

• 5 carbons - pent-

• 6 carbons - hex-

branches

• if there is a carbon/hydrogen branch the main chain,this goes at the front of the name as below.

• branches need to be numbered to show which carbon atom they are attached to on the chain (lowest number possible)

• ch3 - methyl

• ch2ch3 - ethyl

• ch2ch2ch3 - propyl

alkanes

• these are hydrocarbons which contain single bond only

• the end of the name is ane eg methane,ethane etc

alkenes

• these are hydrocarbons with a double c=c bond

• the end of the name is -ene

• if there are 4 or more carbons in the chain,the name needs to include a number of signify the position of the double bond eg but-1-ene

haloalkanes

• these are alkanes which one or more halogen atoms in group 7 replacing hydrocarbons

• name the alkane as normal and the halogen goes at the beginning of the name numbered according to position on the chain

• floro-

• chloro-

• bromo-

• iodo-