PROPERTIES OF ORGANIC FAMILIES
Family 1 Polarity Hydrogen bonding
Alcohols O-H bond is very polar;
small alcohols are more
polar than large alcohols
Ethers Bent shape around oxygen
means two C-O dipoles do
not counteract each other.
C-O bond is less polar than
O-H, so an ether is less
polar than an alcohol.
Amines C-N and N-H bonds are
polar. Amines are usually
polar.
Aldehydes C=O bond is polar, so both
and Ketones usually polar
Solubility in Melting and boiling Additional
water points characteristics
Alcohols experience H- Extremely soluble in Due to H-bonding, Extremely flammable
bonding with other water due to H- most have higher
alcohols and water bonding. Solubility melting and boiling Most are poisonous
decreases with points than alkanes
increasing number with same number of
of carbon atoms. carbon atoms. Most are
liquid at room
temperature.
No H-bonding due to Usually soluble, Boiling points much Extremely flammable
no O-H bond. Can solubility decreases lower than alcohols.
accept H-bonding from with increasing size
water. of carbon chains.
N-H bonds allow H- Amines with four or Primary and secondary -Widely found in
bonding. less carbons are boiling points are nature. Often toxic.
miscible with water higher than tertiary Many have medicinal
(due to H-bonding). (which do not contain properties.
N-H bond). -Low molecular mass
Solubility decreases amines have
as # C increases. fishy/revolting/necrot
ic
smell.
-Act as weak acids.
H-bonding cannot Those with low BP are lower than -Aldehydes have
occur between molecular mass are corresponding alcohols, strong pleasant
molecules since no O-H very soluble in and higher than smell, while ketones
bond. H-bonds can water. Those with corresponding alkanes. smell musky
form with water. large molecular Aldehydes with large
 mass are less molecular mass smell
soluble. fruity. Both used to
make perfumes.
-Can act as polar
solvents, but also as
solvents for non-
polar compounds.
Carboxylic Due to polar O-H and C=O H-bonding is strong, Those with low Melting and boiling are -Often have
Acids bonds, are polar and also occurs with molecular mass are very high. unpleasant odours.
compounds. water. very soluble. -OH group does not
Solubility decreases behave like basic
with increasing #C hydroxide ion (OH-).
atoms. -Melting and boiling
points are very high
due to exceptionally
strong H-bonding.
Esters Like carboxylic acids, usually Do not have O-H bonds Can accept H-bonds Low boiling points due -Pleasant odour and
polar. therefore cannot form from water, so to no H-bonds. Usually taste, used to
H-bonds. those with low volatile liquids at room produce perfumes
molecular mass are temperature. and artificial
soluble. Esters with flavours.
C chains longer -Taste of many fruits
than 3 are not come from esters.
soluble.
Amides C-N and N-H bonds are Primary amides have Soluble in water. Primary amides have -Amide called
polar and amides are similar stronger H-bonds than Solubility decreases higher melting and acetaminophen is
to carboxylic acids. carboxylic acids due to with increasing boiling than carboxylic painkiller
two N-H bonds. non-polar HC part. acids. Many are solid at -Urea (an amide),
Secondary also form H- room temperature. made from carbon
bonds. dioxide and
ammonia, first
organic compound
synthesized.