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Organic Chemistry | Definitions
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Organic Chemistry | Definitions
Aldehyde
An organic compound containing a functional group with the structure 'R-CH=O' at the end of a chain of carbon atoms. Contains a C=O.
Alcohol
An organic compound in which the -OH (hydroxyl group) is bonded to a saturated carbon atom.
Aliphatic Hydrocarbon
A compound whose molecules contain only chains of carbon atoms (no benzene ring structures).
Alkanes
Hydrocarbons in which there are only single bonds between carbon atoms.
Alkenes
Hydrocarbons in which there is at least one double bond between two carbon atoms.
Alkynes
Hydrocarbons in which there is at least one triple bond between two carbon atoms.
Amphoteric Substance
A substance which shows both acidic and basic properties.
Aromatic Compound
Compounds whose molecules contain a benzene ring structure.
Auto-Ignition
The explosion of the petrol-air mixture in an engine before the spark is produced.
Catalytic Converter (Function)
Changes poisonous molecules like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide in car exhausts into less harmful molecules, such as CO₂ and nitrogen. Catalysts used include Pt, Pd and Rh.
Catalytic Cracking
The breaking down of long-chain hydrocarbon molecules into short-chain molecules, for which there is a greater demand.
Dehydrocyclisation
The use of catalysts to convert straight-chained alkanes into cyclic and aromatic compounds, which have a higher octane number.
Fractional Distillation
The process in which crude oil is separated into fractions according to different boiling point ranges.
Functional Group
A group of atoms on which the characteristic properties of a particular compound depend.
Homologous Series
A series of compounds, all members of which contain the same functional group, have similar properties and successive members differ by CH₂.
Hydrocarbon
An organic compound consisting of hydrogen and carbon only.
Isomerisation
The conversion of long chain and unbranched hydrocarbons into their shorter, more branched (and more useful) isomers.
Octane Number
A measure of a fuel's efficiency or its tendency to resist knocking.
Oxygenate
A substance added to fuels to increase their octane number and decrease the amount of pollution they produce, e.g. alcohol and MTBE.
Saturated Compound
Compounds which contain only single bonds between atoms, e.g. alkanes.
Steam Reforming
A reaction used for the manufacture of hydrogen by reacting steam with natural gas at high temperature.
Structural Formula
The formula of a compound showing the way in which the atoms are arranged in the molecule.
Structural Isomers
Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulas.
Reflux
The process of boiling a liquid so that any vapour produced is liquefied by condensation and returned to the reaction mixture.
Unsaturated Compound
Compounds which contain one or more double or triple bond between carbon atoms. The alkenes and alkynes are unsaturated.
Volatile Liquid
Liquid with a low boiling point.
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Aldehyde
An organic compound containing a functional group with the structure 'R-CH=O' at the end of a chain of carbon atoms. Contains a C=O.
Alcohol
An organic compound in which the -OH (hydroxyl group) is bonded to a saturated carbon atom.
Aliphatic Hydrocarbon
A compound whose molecules contain only chains of carbon atoms (no benzene ring structures).
Alkanes
Hydrocarbons in which there are only single bonds between carbon atoms.
Alkenes
Hydrocarbons in which there is at least one double bond between two carbon atoms.
Alkynes
Hydrocarbons in which there is at least one triple bond between two carbon atoms.
Amphoteric Substance
A substance which shows both acidic and basic properties.
Aromatic Compound
Compounds whose molecules contain a benzene ring structure.
Auto-Ignition
The explosion of the petrol-air mixture in an engine before the spark is produced.
Catalytic Converter (Function)
Changes poisonous molecules like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide in car exhausts into less harmful molecules, such as CO₂ and nitrogen. Catalysts used include Pt, Pd and Rh.
Catalytic Cracking
The breaking down of long-chain hydrocarbon molecules into short-chain molecules, for which there is a greater demand.
Dehydrocyclisation
The use of catalysts to convert straight-chained alkanes into cyclic and aromatic compounds, which have a higher octane number.
Fractional Distillation
The process in which crude oil is separated into fractions according to different boiling point ranges.
Functional Group
A group of atoms on which the characteristic properties of a particular compound depend.
Homologous Series
A series of compounds, all members of which contain the same functional group, have similar properties and successive members differ by CH₂.
Hydrocarbon
An organic compound consisting of hydrogen and carbon only.
Isomerisation
The conversion of long chain and unbranched hydrocarbons into their shorter, more branched (and more useful) isomers.
Octane Number
A measure of a fuel's efficiency or its tendency to resist knocking.
Oxygenate
A substance added to fuels to increase their octane number and decrease the amount of pollution they produce, e.g. alcohol and MTBE.
Saturated Compound
Compounds which contain only single bonds between atoms, e.g. alkanes.
Steam Reforming
A reaction used for the manufacture of hydrogen by reacting steam with natural gas at high temperature.
Structural Formula
The formula of a compound showing the way in which the atoms are arranged in the molecule.
Structural Isomers
Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulas.
Reflux
The process of boiling a liquid so that any vapour produced is liquefied by condensation and returned to the reaction mixture.
Unsaturated Compound
Compounds which contain one or more double or triple bond between carbon atoms. The alkenes and alkynes are unsaturated.
Volatile Liquid
Liquid with a low boiling point.