Organic Chemistry

Basic Rules

1. Identify the longest carbon chain (parent chain)
2. Number the chain to give substituents the lowest numbers
3. Name substituents (prefixes)
4. Combine: substituent-position-name + parent + suffix

Examples

• CH₄: Methane
• CH₃-CH₃: Ethane
• CH₃-CH₂-CH₃: Propane
• CH₃-CH₂-CH₂-CH₃: Butane
• CH₃-CH(CH₃)-CH₃: 2-Methylpropane

Functional Group Priority

When multiple functional groups present, priority determines suffix:

1. Carboxylic acids (-oic acid)
2. Esters (-oate)
3. Amides (-amide)
4. Aldehydes (-al)
5. Ketones (-one)
6. Alcohols (-ol)
7. Amines (-amine)

Hydrocarbons

• Alkanes: C-C single bonds (saturated)
• Alkenes: C=C double bonds
• Alkynes: C≡C triple bonds
• Arenes: Aromatic rings (benzene derivatives)

Oxygen-Containing Groups

• Alcohols (R-OH): Hydroxyl group
• Ethers (R-O-R'): Oxygen bridge
• Aldehydes (R-CHO): Carbonyl with H
• Ketones (R-CO-R'): Carbonyl between carbons
• Carboxylic Acids (R-COOH): Carbonyl + hydroxyl
• Esters (R-COO-R'): Carbonyl + alkoxy

Nitrogen-Containing Groups

• Amines (R-NH₂): Nitrogen with alkyl groups
• Amides (R-CONH₂): Carbonyl + amine
• Nitriles (R-CN): Triple bond to nitrogen

Substitution Reactions

• SN1: Unimolecular, two-step, carbocation intermediate
• SN2: Bimolecular, one-step, inversion of configuration
• Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Aromatic ring attacks electrophile

Elimination Reactions

• E1: Unimolecular elimination via carbocation
• E2: Bimolecular elimination, concerted

Addition Reactions

• Electrophilic Addition: Alkenes add electrophiles
• Nucleophilic Addition: Carbonyls attacked by nucleophiles

Oxidation-Reduction

• Oxidation: Increase in C-O bonds or decrease in C-H bonds
• Reduction: Increase in C-H bonds or decrease in C-O bonds

Alkane Reactions

• Halogenation: CH₄ + Cl₂ → CH₃Cl + HCl (radical mechanism)
• Combustion: CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O

Alkene Reactions

• Hydrogenation: Addition of H₂ (requires catalyst)
• Halogenation: Addition of Br₂ or Cl₂
• Hydration: Addition of H₂O (Markovnikov's rule)

Carbonyl Reactions

• Nucleophilic Addition: Grignard reactions, reduction
• Condensation: Aldol, Claisen condensation
• Substitution: Esterification, amide formation

Aromatic Reactions

• Nitration: Addition of -NO₂ group
• Sulfonation: Addition of -SO₃H group
• Friedel-Crafts: Alkylation and acylation

Polymerization Types

• Addition Polymerization: Monomers add to chain (polyethylene, PVC)
• Condensation Polymerization: Monomers join with loss of small molecule (nylon, polyester)

Common Polymers

• Polyethylene: Plastic bags, bottles
• Polypropylene: Textiles, containers
• Polystyrene: Foam, packaging
• Nylon: Fibers, fabrics
• PET: Beverage bottles
• DNA/RNA: Biological polymers

Biodegradable Polymers

Polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) - environmentally friendly alternatives.