Topic 10: Organic Chemistry
10.1 Fundamentals of organic chemistry
10.1.1 A homologous series is a series of compounds of the same general formula, which differ from each other by a common
structural unit
10.1.2 Structural formulas can be represented in full and condensed format
10.1.3 Structural isomers are compounds with the same molecular formula but different arrangements of atoms
10.1.4 Functional groups are the reactive parts of molecules
10.1.5 Saturated compounds contain single bonds only and unsaturated compounds contain double or triple bonds
10.1.6 Benzene is an aromatic, unsaturated hydrocarbon
10.1.7 Explanation of the trends in boiling points of members of a homologous series
10.1.8 Distinction between empirical, molecular and structural formulas
10.1.9 Identification of different classes: alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, halogenoalkanes, alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, esters,
carboxylic acids, amines, amides, nitriles and arenes
10.1.10 Identification of typical functional groups in molecules eg phenyl, hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, carboxamide, aldehyde, ester,
ether, amine, nitrile, alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl
10.1.11 Construction of 3D models (real or virtual) or organic molecules
10.1.12 Application of IUPAC rules in the nomenclature of straight-chain and branched chain isomers
10.1.13 Identification of primary, secondary and tertiary carbon atoms I halogenoalkanes and alcohols and primary, secondary and
tertiary nitrogen atoms in amines
10.1.14 Discussion of the structure of benzene using physical and chemical evidence
# C atoms Prefix
1 meth-
2 eth-
3 prop-
4 but-
5 pent-
6 hex-
Homologous series
• Homologous series: A series of compounds of the same family, with the same general formula, which differ from each other by a
common structural unit
• The main features of a homologous series are:
o Members of a homologous series show a gradation in their physical properties due to the gradual increase of sizes
and weight (example: boiling points increase)
o Members of a homologous series show similar chemical properties as all compounds in the series have the same
functional group (functional groups are the reactive part)
o Successive members of a homologous series differ by a –CH2— group
• • • • Members of a homologous series are represented by same formula. They are named by:
o Prefix: # Of carbon atoms in the longest chain
o Suffix: Homologous series to which the compound belongs
Homologous Series Description Formula Suffix
Alkanes Saturated hydrocarbons containing carbon-carbon single bonds -ane
Alkenes Unsaturated hydrocarbons containing carbon-carbon double bonds -ene
Alkynes Unsaturated hydrocarbons containing carbon-carbon triple bonds -yne
Organic compound classes
• Each class name contains a specific functional group which is a chemical group (small molecule) that determines the specific chemical
properties of a compound, which in turn determines the type of chemical reactions it undergoes
• This means that different compounds/classes in organic chemistry undergo characteristic reactions depending on the functional groups
they contain
o Functional groups are specific groups of atoms or bonds within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic chemical
reaction of those molecules
o A functional group is either named as a prefix or a suffix
• Example classes and functional groups include:
Class: Alkane Alkenes Alkynes
Functional Group:
Suffix - ane - ene - yne
Class: Alcohols Aldehyde
Functional Group:
Name/Suffix Hydroxyl - ol Aldehyde - al
Class: Amine Amide
Functional Group:
Name Amines Carboxyamide
Class: Ether Ester Nitrile
