4.

organic CHEMISTRY
4A . Introduction
Dasun Adeesha (BSc, PGDS)
 Learning Outcomes
4.1 know that a hydrocarbon is a compound of hydrogen and carbon only
4.2 understand how to represent organic molecules using empirical formulae,
molecular formulae, general formulae, structural formulae and displayed
formulae
4.3 know what is meant by the terms homologous series, functional group and
isomerism
4.4 understand how to name compounds relevant to this specification using
the rules of International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC)
nomenclature. students will be expected to name compounds containing up to
six carbon atoms
 Learning Outcomes
4.5 understand how to write the possible structural and displayed formulae
of an organic molecule given its molecular formula
4.6 understand how to classify reactions of organic compounds as
substitution, addition and combustion
 What is organic chemistry?
Organic chemistry is the study of the compounds of carbon
Exceptions : metal carbonates, carbon dioxide & carbon monoxide

What are Hydrocarbons?

These are compounds that contain carbon and hydrogen only
 Representing Organic Molecules
Organic compounds can be represented in a number of ways:
❖ Empirical Formulae
❖ Molecular Formulae
❖ General Formulae
❖ Structural Formulae
❖ Displayed Formulae
★ The empirical formula shows the simplest possible ratio of the
atoms in a molecule
Ex: Hydrogen peroxide is H2O2 but the empirical formula is HO

★ The molecular formula shows the actual number of atoms in a

molecule
Ex:
★ The displayed formula shows the spatial arrangement of all the
atoms and bonds in a molecule
★ In a structural formulae enough information is shown to make
the structure clear, but most of the actual covalent bonds are
omitted

★ The general formula shows a ratio of atoms in a family of

compounds in terms of 'n' where n is a varying whole number
Ex : the general formula of a molecule that belong to the alkane family is
CnH2n+2
 Homologous Series
➢ This is a family of organic compounds that have similar features
and chemical properties due to them having the same functional
group
➢ All members of a homologous series have:
○ The same general formula
○ Same functional group
○ Similar chemical properties
○ Gradation in their physical properties
○ The difference in the molecular formula between one member
and the next is CH2
Functional Group
A group of atoms bonded in a specific arrangement that influences
the properties of the homologous series
Isomerism
Isomers are compounds that have the same molecular formula but
different displayed formulae
Ex:
 Naming Organic Compounds
❖ The names of organic compounds have two parts: the prefix or
stem and the end part (or suffix)
❖ The prefix tells you how many carbon atoms are present in the
longest continuous chain in the compound
❖ The suffix tells you what functional group is on the compound
 Further rules for naming compounds
❏ When there is more than one carbon atom where a functional
group can be located it is important to distinguish exactly which
carbon the functional group is on
❏ Each carbon is numbered and these numbers are used to describe
where the functional group is
❏ When 2 functional groups are present di- is used as a prefix to
the second part of the name
 Classifying Organic Reactions
● The reactions of organic compounds can be classified into substitution,
addition and combustion

Substitution
● A substitution reaction takes place when one functional group is replaced by
another
○ Example: Methane reacts with bromine under ultraviolet light
CH4 + Br2 → CH3Br + HBr
Methane + Bromine → Bromomethane + Hydrogen Bromide
Addition
● An addition reaction takes place when two or more molecules
combine to form a larger molecule with no other products
○ Example: Bromine will react with ethene and the bromine
molecule will react and add across the double bond of the
ethene
C2H4 + Br2 → C2H4Br2
Ethene + Bromine → Dibromoethane
Combustion
● This is the scientific term for burning. In a combustion reaction, an
organic substance reacts with oxygen to form carbon dioxide (or
carbon monoxide if incomplete combustion) and water.
○ Example: Alkenes burn when heated in air of oxygen
○ If there is an unlimited supply of air / oxygen, the products are
carbon dioxide and water:
CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O
C3H8 + 5O2 → 3CO2 + 4H2O
● This is termed complete combustion
○ If there is a limited supply of air / oxygen, the products are carbon
monoxide and water:
CH4 + ½O2 → CO + 2H2O
● This is termed incomplete combustion