IGCC Study Buddy: Organic Chemistry - Part 1

Introduction

• IGCC Study Buddy: Channel for revising chemistry topics from the Cambridge IGCSE syllabus.
• Organic Chemistry: Study of compounds containing carbon, known as organic compounds.
  • Found in living organisms and synthesized artificially.
  • Many are hydrocarbons: compounds of hydrogen and carbon.

Representation of Organic Compounds

• Displayed Formula: Shows every atom and bond in the molecule.

  • Example: Butane (C₄H₁₀)
    • 4 carbon atoms, 10 hydrogen atoms.
    • Carbon atoms form single covalent bonds.
    • Straight chain arrangement.

• Structural Formula: Shows the arrangement and bonding order of atoms.

  • Example: Ethene
    • Two carbon atoms double bonded, each bonded to two hydrogen atoms.
  • Simplified version for Butane:
    • CH₃-CH₂-CH₂-CH₃

• General Formula: Represents a family of organic compounds (homologous series).

  • Example for Alkanes: CₙH₂ₙ₊₂
    • For Butane (n=4): C₄H₁₀

Key Terminology

• Functional Group: Atom/group of atoms determining chemical properties of a series.

  • Alkanes: Single C-C bonds.
  • Alkenes: C=C double bond.
  • Alcohols: Hydroxyl group (OH).
  • Carboxylic Acids: Carboxyl group (COOH).

• Homologous Series: Family of compounds with similar chemical properties.

  • Same functional group.
  • General formula consistency.
  • Differ by CH₂ units.
  • Trends in physical properties (e.g., boiling/melting points).

General Formulas and Interpretations

• Alkanes: CₙH₂ₙ₊₂ (Saturated hydrocarbons)

  • Example: Methane (CH₄) where n=1.

• Alkenes: CₙH₂ₙ (Unsaturated hydrocarbons)

  • Example: Ethene (C₂H₄) where n=2.

• Alcohols: CₙH₂ₙ₊₁OH

  • Example: Ethanol (C₂H₅OH) where n=2.

• Carboxylic Acids: CₙH₂ₙ₊₁COOH

  • Example: Ethanoic acid (CH₃COOH) where n=1.

Structural Isomers

• Structural Isomers: Compounds with the same molecular formula, different structural formulas.
  • Example: C₄H₁₀
    • Straight chain vs. branched chain (Butane).
  • Butene (C₄H₈)
    • Different positions for double bonds lead to distinct isomers (1-butene, 2-butene).

Conclusion

• This concludes Part 1 of Topic 11 in Organic Chemistry.
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