Organic Chemistry — 60 Terms Defined

Organic Chemistry Organic Chemistry Dimensionless The study of the structure, properties, composition and reactions of carbon-containing compounds.

Oxidation of Alcohols Organic Chemistry Dimensionless The conversion of alcohols to carbonyl compounds or carboxylic acids by removal of hydrogen. R–CH₂OH → RCHO → RCOOH

Phenol Organic Chemistry Dimensionless A compound in which a hydroxyl group is bonded directly to an aromatic ring. C₆H₅–OH

Position Isomerism Organic Chemistry Dimensionless Structural isomerism arising from a functional group occupying different positions on the same carbon skeleton.

Racemic Mixture Organic Chemistry degrees An equimolar mixture of two enantiomers, which shows no net optical rotation. 50:50 (+) and (−)

Resonance Effect Organic Chemistry Dimensionless The delocalisation of pi or lone pair electrons through a conjugated system, altering electron density at distant atoms. −M and +M effects

Saturation and Unsaturation Organic Chemistry Dimensionless The distinction between compounds containing only single bonds and those containing multiple bonds or rings. DoU = (2C + 2 + N − H − X)/2

SN1 Reaction Organic Chemistry s⁻¹ A two-step nucleophilic substitution proceeding through a carbocation intermediate. rate = k[substrate]

SN2 Reaction Organic Chemistry L/(mol·s) A single-step nucleophilic substitution in which bond formation and bond breaking occur simultaneously. rate = k[substrate][nucleophile]

Stereoisomerism Organic Chemistry Dimensionless Isomerism in which molecules have identical connectivity but differ in the spatial arrangement of their atoms.

Structural Isomerism Organic Chemistry Dimensionless Isomerism in which the compounds differ in the order in which their atoms are connected.

Zaitsev's Rule Organic Chemistry Dimensionless In an elimination reaction, the major product is usually the more highly substituted and therefore more stable alkene.