Aqa As Organic Chemistry

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Functional group

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An atom or group of atoms in an organic molecule which is responsible for the characteristic reactions of that molecule.

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Homologous series

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A set of organic compounds with the same functional group. The compounds differ in the length of their hydrocarbon chains.

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Isomer

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One of two (or more) compound with the same molecular formula but a different arrangement of atoms in space.

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Alkane

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A hydrocarbon with C—C and C—H single bonds only, with the general formula CnH2n+2.

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Saturated hydrocarbon

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A compound containing only hydrogen and carbon with only C—C and C—H single bonds, i.e. one to which no more hydrogen can be added.

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Fraction

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A mixture of hydrocarbons collected over a particular range of boiling points during the fractional distillation of crude oil.

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Catalytic cracking

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The breaking, with the aid of a catalyst, of long-chain alkane molecules (obtained from crude oil) into shorter chain hydrocarbons (some of which are alkenes).

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Incomplete combustion

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A combustion reaction in which there is insufficient oxygen for all the carbon in the fuel to burn to carbon dioxide. Carbon monoxide and/or carbon (soot) are formed.

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Free radical

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A chemical species with an unpaired electron — usually highly reactive.

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Nucleophile

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An ion or group of atoms with a negative charge or a partially negatively-charged area that takes part in an organic reaction by attacking an electron-deficient area in another reactant.

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Nucleophilic substitution

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An organic reaction in which a molecule with a partially positively charged carbon atom is attacked by a nucleophile. It results in the replacement of one of the groups or atoms on the original molecule by the nucleophile.

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Leaving group

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In a substitution reaction, the atom or group of atoms that is ejected from the starting material, normally taking with it an electron pair and forming a negative ion.

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Elimination

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A reaction in which an atom or group of atoms is removed from a reactant.

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Electrophile

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And electron-deficient atom, ion or molecule that takes part in an organic reaction by attacking areas of high electron density in another reactant.

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Electrophilic addition

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A reaction in which a C=C bond is saturated by it attacking an electrophile.

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Carbocation

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An organic ion in which one of the C atoms has a positive charge.

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Positive inductive effect

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Describes the tendency of some atoms or groups of atoms to release electrons via a covalent bond.

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Monomer

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A small molecule that combines with many other monomers to form a polymer.

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Anaerobic respiration

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The process by which energy is released and new compounds formed in living things in the absence of oxygen.

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Carbon-neutral

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A process in which as much CO2 IS absorbed from the air as is given out.

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Aldehyde

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An organic compound with the general formula RCHO

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Ketone

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An organic compound with the general formula R2C=O.

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Molecular ion

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A molecule of sample which has been ionised but which has not broken up during its flight.

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Fingerprint region

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The area of an IR spectrum below about 1500cm-1. It is caused by complex vibrations of the whole molecule and is characteristic of a particular molecule.