Organic Chemistry : Organic Concepts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Organic Chemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Identifying Carbonyl Compounds

Identify the given organic functional group.

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Possible Answers:

Amine

Ether

Imine

Amide

Ester

Correct answer:

Amide

Explanation:

This is an amide. It is very unreactive since its leaving group is the conjugate base of an amine [HNR-]. 

Example Question #6 : Identifying Carbonyl Compounds

Identify the given organic functional group.

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Possible Answers:

Ketone

Ester

Carboxylic acid

Aldehyde

Ether

Correct answer:

Ester

Explanation:

Esters are relatively unreactive since the leaving group is an alkoxide ion (OR-), which is the conjugate base of an alcohol (a relatively weak acid). 

Example Question #22 : Organic Functional Groups And Molecules

Sigma and pie bonds

How many sigma and pi bonds, respectively, are there in the given molecule?

Possible Answers:

 pi bonds,  sigma bond

 sigma bonds,  pi bond

 sigma bonds,  pi bond

 pi bonds,  sigma bond

Correct answer:

 sigma bonds,  pi bond

Explanation:

To answer this question, it's important to recall what sigma bonds and pi bonds are. Sigma bonds are the result of overlapping s orbitals, and are contained in all bonds. Pi bonds, on the other hand, are the result of p orbitals overlapping.

Double bonds between atoms consist of one sigma bond (from overlapping s orbitals) and one pi bond (from overlapping p orbitals). Triple bonds, though not shown in this molecule, consist of one sigma bond and two pi bonds.

In the molecule shown in this question, we can recognize the following bonds:

1 carbon-oxygen double bond, which is equal to one sigma bond and one pi bond

2 carbon-carbon single bonds, which equates to two sigma bonds

6 carbon-hydrogen single bonds, which equals six sigma bonds

Adding these up, we obtain a total of nine sigma bonds and one pi bond.

Example Question #11 : Identifying Carbonyl Compounds

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Given the 4 labeled structures, rank them from 1 to 4 by reactivity (1=most reactive)

Possible Answers:

4, 2, 1, 3

4, 1, 3, 2

3, 4, 1, 2

3, 1, 2, 4

3, 1, 4, 2

Correct answer:

3, 1, 4, 2

Explanation:

This question tests ones knowledge of carboxylic acid derivatives and how different groups effect reactivity. The order is 3, 1, 4, 2 and this is because of the electronic effect. Acid chloride (3) is first because of its electron withdrawing group making it most reactive. (1) is a weakly donating group and (4) is a normal strength donating group and (2) is a good electron donating group. 

Example Question #12 : Identifying Carbonyl Compounds

Which of the following compounds is an aldehyde?

A)

Amide

B)

Ketone

C)

D)Carboxylic acid

Aldehyde

Possible Answers:

D

A

None of these

C

B

Correct answer:

D

Explanation:

The correct answer is D.

Aldehyde

The molecule pictured above is an aldehyde because it contains an oxygen double bonded to the last carbon on the carbon chain. A contains a amide group, B contains a ketone, and C contains a carboxylic acid group.

Example Question #13 : Identifying Carbonyl Compounds

This molecule contains a carbonyl functional group. One substituent of the carbonyl carbon is a hydrogen. What is this molecule?

Possible Answers:

Amino acid

Aldehyde

Ketone

Acid

Correct answer:

Aldehyde

Explanation:

A carbonyl functional group takes the form of . This leaves the carbonyl carbon to form two remaining bonds with various substituents. If one of these substituents is a hydrogen, the molecule is an aldehyde (the carbonyl group is at the end of the carbon chain). If neither substituent is a hydrogen, the molecule is a ketone (the carbonyl group is not at the end of the carbon chain).

An acid contains the carboxylic acid functional group, which takes the form of . Carbonyl groups do not contain the .

Amino acids contain the carboxylic acid functional group () and an amine functional group (). The description in the question does not fit this molecule.

Example Question #23 : Organic Functional Groups And Molecules

What is the common name for the molecule shown?

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Possible Answers:

formic acid

acetic acid

formate

methanoic acid

Correct answer:

formic acid

Explanation:

The prefix "form-" indicates a  group. This group by itself is known as the "formate" anion, and its protonated acidic form is known as "formic acid." This is a very common organic acid and it is important to know the name of this acid.

Example Question #14 : Identifying Carbonyl Compounds

What is the IUPAC name for the molecule shown below?

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Possible Answers:

2-Butanone

Butanal

Butanone

3-Butanone

Correct answer:

Butanone

Explanation:

The molecule's longest carbon chain has 4 carbons (thus, "but-"), and the lack of carbon-carbon double bonds makes it an alkANE (thus "butan-"). The presence of a carbonyl () group that is not at the end of the chain means that the molecule is a ketone (thus "butanone"). There is no other way to make a ketone on a carbon chain consisting of 4 carbons, and therefore a locant is not needed when naming this compound.

Example Question #191 : Organic Chemistry

What is the IUPAC name for the molecule shown below?

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Possible Answers:

2-Oxopentane

2-Pentanal

3-Pentanone

2-Pentanone

Correct answer:

2-Pentanone

Explanation:

The molecule's longest carbon chain has 5 carbons (thus, "pent-"), and the lack of carbon-carbon double bonds makes it an alkANE (thus "pentan-"). The presence of a carbonyl () group that is not at the end of the chain means that the molecule is a ketone (thus "pentanone"). Numbering the carbon chain so that the carbonyl is on the lowest possible carbon will put the carbonyl on carbon 2 (Thus "2-pentanone").

Example Question #26 : Organic Functional Groups And Molecules

What is the common name for the molecule shown?

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Possible Answers:

Formic acid

Ethanoic acid

Acetate

Acetic acid

Correct answer:

Acetic acid

Explanation:

The prefix "acet-" or "aceto-" indicates a  group. This group by itself is known as the "acetate" anion, and its protonated acidic form is known as "acetic acid." This is a very common organic acid and it is important to know the name of this acid.

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