ALKYL GROUPS
The general term alkyl group includes all groups derived from the alkanes by the loss of a hydrogen atom.
Alkyl groups have a general formula of CnH2n+1. They are named after the parent alkanes by replacing the
ending –ane by –yl
Alkanes Formula Alkyl group Names
Methane CH4 CH3- Methyl
Ethane C2H6 C2H5- Ethyl
Propane C3H8 C3H7- Propyl
FUNCTIONAL GROUP
A functional group is a group of atoms, a radical or bonds common to the series of organic compounds
and determines the chemical properties of the series.
HOMOLOGOUS SERIES GENERAL FORMULA FUNCTIONAL GROUP
Alkane CnH2n + 2 C-C and C-H
Alkene CnH2n C=C
Alkynes CnH2n – 2
Alkanols CnH2n + 1 OH -O-H
Alkanoic acid CnH2n + 1 COOH -COOH
Esters CnH2n + 1 COOR -COOR-
Ether CnH2n + 2 O -O-
1o amines R-NH2 -NH2
Amides R-CONH2 -CONH2
Alkyl group in a compound determines the physical properties of the compound; while functional group
determine the chemical properties of the compound.
NAMING ORGANIC COMPOUND
The IUPAC name (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)
The name of organic compound can be divided into three parts
1. A root (parent name)
2. A suffix
3. Prefixes
The name follows the sequence: prefix (es) – root-suffix
A root is named according to the number of carbon atom in the longest carbon chain without branching
Number of Root name
carbon
1 meth-
2 eth-
3 prop-
4 but -
A suffix gives the type of functional group present
Homologous series Name as suffix
Alkane -ane
Alkene -ene
Alkynes -yne
Alkanol -ol
Alkanoic -oic
Alkanoate -ate
Amines -amine
A prefixes is used to denote any substituent in an organic compound. The prefixes are placed in
alphabetical order
The name follows the sequence: prefix (es) – root-suffix
STEPS FOR NAMING ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
1. Identify the root (longest continuous chain
2. The substituent is given the least carbon atom when numbering the carbons
3. Name the substituent and indicate the position (i.e the number of carbon atom at in which the
substituent is attached to
4. In case of more than one substituent, name them alphabetically irrespective of their position
ISOMERISM
Isomers are compounds that have the same molecular formula but exist in different forms due to the
difference arrangements of atoms.
Isomerism is the existence of two or more compound (known as isomers) with the same molecular
formula but different molecular structures
TYPES OF ISOMERISM
1. Structural isomerism
2. Stereoisomerism
Structural isomerism: these are organic compounds with the same molecular formula but different
structural arrangement
TYPES OF STRUCTURAL ISOMERISM
1. Chain isomerism
2. Position isomerism
3. Functional group isomerism
Chain isomerism
Butane 2-methylpropane
Position isomerism
Functional group isomerism
Stereoisomerism
These are organic compounds with the same molecular formula and structural formula but different
spatial arrangement of atoms
Types of stereoisomerism
1. Geometric (cis-trans) isomerism
2. Optical isomerism
Geometric isomerism
Cis-1,2-dichloroethene trans-1,2-dichloreoethene
Optical isomerism
Criteria for optical isomerism
1. The central carbon atom must have four different atoms or groups attached
2. The mirror images are not superimposable
These isomers have identical properties but can be distinguished from each other by their ability to rotate
the plane of polarized light in opposite direction
