Know hybridization! A typical carbon atom is usually sp 3 hybridized Carbon forms strong bonds: especially with H, O, N and halogens (F, Cl, I…) Double bonds are stronger than single bonds. Increased bond strength = shorter bond length Most Carbon-Carbon and Carbond-Hydrogen bonds are nonpolar because the electronegativities almost cancel out. However C-O and O-H are quite polar A group of atoms (i.e. C-O-H group) that determines how an organic molecule reacts is called a functional group The non-polar bonds are generally soluble in nonpolar solvents but not in water Molecules that are polar are soluble in polar solvents Acidic substandes: most important are the carboxylic acids (-COOH) Most important basic substances are the amines (-NHR) (-NH 2 ) of (-NR 2 ) o R is an organic group consisting of some combo of C-C and C-H bonds such as –CH 3 or –C 2 H 5 Hydrocarbons: compounds composed of only H and C. there are 4 types Alkanes have only single bonds (saturated hydrocarbons b/c they have the largest # H per C) Alkenes aka olefins have double bonds Alkynes have triple bonds Aromatic hydrocarbond: the C atoms are connected in a planar ring joined by σ and π bonds All hydrocarbons are relatively nonpolar and insoluble in water Their boiling points increase as molar mass increases Alkanes are used as gases Long chain alkanes generally undergo constant motion that causes it to change its shape like a chain that is shaken Structural isomers: can be straight chain and branched chain hydrocarbons o Same molecular formula, diff. arrangement Alkyl groups are named by replacing the –ane ending with –yl Cycloalkanes are rings sometimes drawn as a polygon in which each corner is a CH 2 group (cyclopropane is a triangle) Aromatic hydrocarbons like benzene have corners with CH groups