Carbon and its Compounds

Science

Nonaromatic hydrocarbons, such as the alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes

Aliphatic compound

Nonaromatic hydrocarbons, such as the alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes. Aliphatic compound. An aliphatic compound is a type of organic molecule made up of carbon and hydrogen atoms arranged in straight or branched chains, without any aromatic rings.

A hydrocarbon molecule with only single bonds

Alkane

A hydrocarbon molecule with only single bonds. Alkane. An alkane is a simple molecule made of carbon and hydrogen atoms connected by single bonds only.

A unsaturated hydrocarbon that contains at least one double bond

Alkene

A unsaturated hydrocarbon that contains at least one double bond. Alkene. Alkenes are hydrocarbons with at least one carbon-carbon double bond, which makes them more reactive than alkanes.

A hydrocarbon that contains one or more triple bonds

Alkyne

A hydrocarbon that contains one or more triple bonds. Alkyne. Alkynes are a type of hydrocarbon with carbon atoms connected by triple bonds, giving them unique chemical properties.

Organic compounds that contain one or more benzene rings

Aromatic compound

Organic compounds that contain one or more benzene rings. Aromatic compound. Aromatic compounds are stable, ring-shaped molecules that smell distinct and pleasant, like benzene.

A carbon atom that has four different atoms or groups attached

Asymmetric carbon

A carbon atom that has four different atoms or groups attached. Asymmetric carbon. It is a carbon that creates mirror-image molecules due to being bonded to four distinct groups.

A simple aromatic, cyclic hydrocarbon

Benzene

A simple aromatic, cyclic hydrocarbon. Benzene. Benzene is a ring-shaped molecule made of six carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms, commonly used as a starting material in making plastics, resins, and other chemicals.

An easier and shorter way to draw the line-bond structural formula of bonds in a molecule

Condensed structural formula

An easier and shorter way to draw the line-bond structural formula of bonds in a molecule condensed structural formula. A condensed structural formula shows the arrangement of atoms in a molecule without drawing all individual bonds, using groups of atoms instead.

The process by which hydrocarbons are broken down into smaller molecules

Cracking

The process by which hydrocarbons are broken down into smaller molecules cracking. Cracking is a method used in the oil industry to turn heavy and large molecules of crude oil into lighter, more useful products like gasoline.

A compound composed only of carbon and hydrogen that forms a ring

Cyclic hydrocarbon

A compound composed only of carbon and hydrogen that forms a ring cyclic hydrocarbon. A cyclic hydrocarbon is a molecule made up of carbon atoms connected in a loop or ring structure, with hydrogen atoms attached.

A carbon chain that forms a ring and all of the carbon-carbon bonds are single

Cycloalkane

A carbon chain that forms a ring and all of the carbon-carbon bonds are single. Cycloalkane. Cycloalkanes are ring-shaped molecules made only of carbon and hydrogen with single bonds.

Compounds that have atoms in the same order, but differ in the orientation of groups around a double bond

Geometric isomer

Compounds that have atoms in the same order, but differ in the orientation of groups around a double bond. Geometric isomers are molecules that have the same structure but different spatial arrangements of atoms due to the rigidity of double bonds.

A group of compounds in which there is a constant increment change in molecular structure from one compound in the series to the next

Homologous series

A group of compounds in which there is a constant increment change in molecular structure from one compound in the series to the next. Homologous series. In science, a homologous series is a family of compounds with similar chemical properties and structures that differ by a repeating unit, like a CH group.

A molecule that contains only hydrogen and carbon

Hydrocarbon

A molecule that contains only hydrogen and carbon. Hydrocarbon. Hydrocarbons are compounds made entirely of hydrogen and carbon atoms, and they are the primary components of fossil fuels.

Compounds with the same chemical formula but different physical structures

Isomer

Compounds with the same chemical formula but different physical structures. Isomer. An isomer is a molecule that has the same number and type of atoms as another molecule but arranged differently, giving it distinct properties.

A fossil fuel often found in underground rock layers

Natural gas

A fossil fuel often found in underground rock layers. Natural gas. Natural gas is a clean-burning energy source made mostly of methane that is used for heating and electricity.

Two forms of a compound which have the same structure but are mirror images of each other

Optical isomer

Two forms of a compound which have the same structure but are mirror images of each other. Optical isomer. Optical isomers are molecules that are like left and right hands they are the same but cannot be superimposed onto each other.

The study of organic compounds, which in general, contain carbon

Organic chemistry

The study of organic compounds, which in general, contain carbon. Organic chemistry. Organic chemistry is the branch of science that focuses on the structure, properties, and reactions of carbon-containing compounds.

Compounds that contain carbon and hydrogen atoms

Organic compound

Compounds that contain carbon and hydrogen atoms. Organic compound. An organic compound is any molecule primarily made of carbon and hydrogen atoms.

The longest continuous chain of carbon atoms in an organic molecule

Parent chain

The longest continuous chain of carbon atoms in an organic molecule. Parent chain. The parent chain is the main backbone of a molecule that determines its base structure and name in organic chemistry.

A hydrocarbon that contains only single bonds, like propane

Saturated hydrocarbon

A hydrocarbon that contains only single bonds, like propane. Saturated hydrocarbon. In simple terms, a saturated hydrocarbon is a molecule made of carbon and hydrogen atoms connected by single bonds, found in fuels like propane.

Molecules that have atoms in the same order, but differ in the arrangement of the atoms in space

Stereoisomer

Molecules that have atoms in the same order, but differ in the arrangement of the atoms in space. Stereoisomer. Stereoisomers are like LEGO models built with the same blocks but arranged differently to create distinct shapes.

Compounds that have the same molecular formula, but whose atoms are bonded in a different order

Structural isomer

Compounds that have the same molecular formula, but whose atoms are bonded in a different order. Structural isomer. Structural isomers are molecules that have the same number of each type of atom, but the atoms are connected differently.

A hydrocarbon with one or more double or triple bonds between carbon atoms

Unsaturated hydrocarbon

A hydrocarbon with one or more double or triple bonds between carbon atoms. Unsaturated hydrocarbon. An unsaturated hydrocarbon is a molecule made of carbon and hydrogen containing double or triple bonds.