Chapter Four

Describe the versatility of carbon to make the diverse molecules. Be able to draw four types of bonding patters that carbon atom can form.

Because carbon has four valence electrons, it can form four bonding patterns. (4 single bonds, 2 double bonds, 1 double and 2 single, 1 single and 1 triple) Ex. tetrahedron, plane

Why is carbon so important in the molecules that make up living organisms?

Carbon has diverse bonding patterns bc it has 4 valence electrons and can bond with up to four other atoms.

How are functional groups important in chemical reactions?

Functional groups are attached to the carbon backbone and determine the characteristics and chemical reactivity of organic molecules.

What are hydrocarbon molecules? Examples? Structure and properties?

Hydrocarbon molecules: contain only carbon and hydrogen. Ex: methane, ethane, propane Wide variety in length, double bond position, branching and presence of rings.

What are organic compounds/inorganic compounds?

Organic: Carbon skeletons + hydrogen atoms/functional groups. Inorganic: carbon dioxide and all molecules without carbon

Structural isomers

Same molecular formula, but different in the covalent arrangement of their atoms. Ex. Ethanol and dimethyl ether

What is the valence number?

Valence number: number of electrons in valence shell. Carbon has 4, so it has 4 bonding patterns.

carboxyl

acidic (releases (H+ ion)

phosphate

acidic (releases H+ ions)

amino

basic (accepts H+ to make NH3+)

Carbon skeletons

carbon atoms connect together by covalent bonds

Cis-trans isomers

diastereomers associated with compounds that have carbon-carbon double bonds.

Isomers

have the same numbers of atoms of the same elements, but different structures and different properties.

methyl

non-polar

carbonyl

polar

hydroxyl

polar

sulfydryl

polar

Enantiomers

substances that are mirror images of each other due to the presence of an asymmetric carbon. Ex. Amino acids and sugars