Untitled - Kelly Walsh High School

Organic, Biochemistry, and Polymers 311
This number indicates the number of the first carbon atom that is part of the
double/triple bond. (2) The name of longest carbon chain is formed by taking
the alkane name, dropping the –ane suffix and replace it by –ene for an alkene
or –yne for an alkyne.
CH 2 CH CH 2 CH 3 CH 3 CH 2 C C CH 3
1-butene 2-pentyne
21-3 Functional Groups
If chemistry students had to learn the properties of each of the millions of
organic compounds, it would be an impossible task. However, chemists find that
having certain arrangements of atoms in an organic molecule causes those molecules
to react in a similar fashion. For example, methyl alcohol, CH 3[OH,
and ethyl alcohol, CH 3[CH 2[OH, undergo the same types of reaction. The
[OH group is the reactive part of these types of molecules. These reactive
groups are functional groups. Instead of learning the properties of individual
molecules, we can simply learn the properties of functional groups.
In our study of the simple hydrocarbons, there are only two functional groups.
One is a carbon-to-carbon double bond. Hydrocarbons that contain a carbonto-carbon
double bond are alkenes. The other hydrocarbon functional group
is a carbon-to-carbon triple bond. Hydrocarbons that contain a triple bond
are alkynes. These functional groups are the reactive sites in the alkenes and
alkynes. The result is that alkenes and alkynes are more reactive than the
alkanes.
The introduction of other atoms (such as N, O, and Cl.) to the organic compounds
gives rise to many other functional groups. The most common functional
groups are in Table 21-2. These functional groups normally are the
reactive sites in the molecules.
21-4 Polymers
Polymers are large, high molecular weight compounds formed by linking
together many smaller compounds called monomers. The properties of the
polymer are dependent on the monomer units used and the way in which they
link together. Many polymers occur in nature such as cellulose, starch, cotton,
wool, and rubber. Others are created synthetically, such as nylon, PVC, polystyrene,
Teflon, and polyester.