1. Generally non-polar (generally insoluble in water)
2. Soluble in non-polar solvents
(likes dissolve in likes )
3. Non-electrolytes
4. Reactions generally occur slowly
5. Have low melting points due to weak
intermolecular forces
6. Reactions have high activation energy, and
therefore lower reactions

Definition - compounds composed of only
hydrogen and carbon
 Homologous series - group of organic compounds
with similar properties and related structures
(differ from each other by CH2)

Hydrocarbons with the
formula CnH2n+2 (Table Q)

All alkanes end in “ANE”.

Example: methane,
ethane, propane

All alkanes have all
SINGLE bonds and are
saturated hydrocarbons.

Alkyl structures have one less hydrogen than
the corresponding alkane.
Side Chain Length
In Carbons
Name
Side chain name
Alkyl Formula
CnH(2n+2 -1)
1
meth
methyl
CH3
2
eth
ethyl
C2H5
3
prop
propyl
C3H7
4
but
butyl
C4H9
5
pent
pentyl
C5H11
6
hex
hexyl
C6H13
Organic compounds that have the same molecular
formula, but different structural formula.
 The more carbons in the structure, the more isomer
variations that are possible.

Butane
2-methylpropane

Hydrocarbons with the
formula CnH2n (Table Q)

All alkenes end in “ENE”.

Example: ethene, propene

All alkenes have at least
one DOUBLE bond (C=C)
and are considered
unsaturated hydrocarbons.

Hydrocarbons with the
formula CnH2n-2 (Table Q)

All alkenes end in “YNE”.

Example: ethyne, propyne

All alkynes have at least
one TRIPLE bond (CΞC)
and are also considered
unsaturated hydrocarbons.
Not all organic
compounds are
hydrocarbons!!
 Different functional
groups cause
compounds to have
different physical and
chemical properties!!

Boiling Point/Melting Point
 The greater the # of carbons in carbon chain, the
higher the boiling point/melting point!
 If compounds have the same # of carbons:
Highest BP/MP
*Alcohols
Ethers
*Acids
Amines
Aldehydes
Ketones
Lowest BP/MP
Hydrocarbons
Reactions that involve organic compounds.
 There are seven (7) reactions we will discuss:

 Substitution (alkane)
 Addition (alkene/alkyn)
 Combustion (carbon comp. + O  H O + CO )
 Fermentation
 Esterfication (organic acid + alcohol)
 Saponification (opp. of esterfication – soap)
 Polymerization (many small  1 big)
2
2
2