[DUBAI INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY DREAM O INSPIRE ACHIEVE Chapter 1 GLOBAL CONTEXT - Scientific & Technical Innovation STATEMENT OF INQUIRY The versatile bonding of carbon atoms has allowed humanity to invent systems of molecules of various forms to fulfil different functions. STUDENT PROGRES

Organic chemistry is the study of carbon-containing compounds.

Carbon has a unique property:

Hydrocarbons are compounds that contain only carbon and hydrogen.

Three main types of hydrocarbons:

Carbon Chain Prefixes:

Number of C atoms Prefix
1 meth
2 eth
3 prop
4 but
5 pent
6 hex
Type Meaning Example (Butane)
Empirical Simplest ratio C₂H₅
Molecular Actual atoms C₄H₁₀
Structural Shows arrangement CH₃–CH₂–CH₂–CH₃

homologous series

A homologous series is a family of organic compounds with similar chemical properties.

Characteristics:

  1. Successive members differ by –CH₂

  2. Members follow the same general formula

    Series General Formula
    Alkanes CnH₂n+₂
    Alkenes CnH₂n
    Alkynes CnH₂n−2
    Alcohols CnH₂n+1OH
  3. Members show gradual trends in physical properties