Chemistry (Chang), 9th Edition

Chapter 24: Organic Chemistry

Chapter Summary

1. Because carbon atoms can link up with other carbon atoms in straight and branched chains, carbon can form more compounds than any other element.

2. Organic compounds are derived from two types of hydrocarbons: aliphatic hydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons.

3. Methane, CH₄, is the simplest of the alkanes, a family of hydrocarbons with the general formula C_nH_2n+2. Cyclopropane, C₃H₆, is the simplest of the cycloalkanes, a family of alkanes whose carbon atoms are joined in a ring. Alkanes and cycloalkanes are saturated hydrocarbons.

4. Ethylene, <a onClick="window.open('/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=jpg::::/sites/dl/free/0035715985/117380/24_1.jpg','popWin', 'width=NaN,height=NaN,resizable,scrollbars');" href="#"><img valign="absmiddle" height="16" width="16" border="0" src="/olcweb/styles/shared/linkicons/image.gif"> (4.0K)</a> is the simplest of the olefins, or alkenes, a class of hydrocarbons containing carbon-carbon double bonds and having the general formula C_nH_2n.

5. Acetylene, <a onClick="window.open('/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=jpg::::/sites/dl/free/0035715985/117380/24_2.jpg','popWin', 'width=NaN,height=NaN,resizable,scrollbars');" href="#"><img valign="absmiddle" height="16" width="16" border="0" src="/olcweb/styles/shared/linkicons/image.gif"> (4.0K)</a> is the simplest of the alkynes, which are compounds that have the general formula C_nH_2n-2 and contain carbon-carbon triple bonds.

6. Compounds that contain one or more benzene rings are called aromatic hydrocarbons. These compounds undergo substitution by halogens and alkyl groups.

7. Functional groups impart specific types of chemical reactivity to molecules. Classes of compounds characterized by their functional groups include alcohols, ethers, aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids and esters, and amines.