Carbon and Its Compounds
Formulas
General formulas for saturated and unsaturated carbon chains where ‘n’ is the number of carbon atoms.
↔ Swipe to view formulas1. Alkanes (Single Bond): $$C_nH_{2n+2}$$
2. Alkenes (Double Bond): $$C_nH_{2n}$$
3. Alkynes (Triple Bond): $$C_nH_{2n-2}$$
4. Alkyl Group: $$C_nH_{2n+1}$$
Atoms or group of atoms that determine the chemical properties of an organic compound.
Alcohol: $$-OH \quad (\text{Suffix: -ol})$$
Aldehyde: $$-CHO \quad (\text{Suffix: -al})$$
Ketone: $$>C=O \quad (\text{Suffix: -one})$$
Carboxylic Acid: $$-COOH \quad (\text{Suffix: -oic acid})$$
Fundamental reactions including Combustion, Oxidation, Addition, and Substitution.
Combustion: $$CH_4 + 2O_2 \rightarrow CO_2 + 2H_2O + \text{Heat + Light}$$
Oxidation: $$CH_3CH_2OH \xrightarrow{\text{Alkaline } KMnO_4 + \text{Heat}} CH_3COOH$$
Addition (Hydrogenation): $$R_2C=CR_2 + H_2 \xrightarrow{Ni} R_2CH-CHR_2$$
Substitution: $$CH_4 + Cl_2 \xrightarrow{\text{Sunlight}} CH_3Cl + HCl$$
Most common reactions tested in board examinations.
Esterification: $$CH_3COOH + CH_3CH_2OH \xrightarrow{\text{Acid}} \text{CH}_3\text{COOCH}_2\text{CH}_3 (\text{Ester}) + H_2O$$
Saponification: $$\text{CH}_3\text{COOC}_2\text{H}_5 \xrightarrow{NaOH} CH_3COONa + C_2H_5OH$$
Reaction with Na: $$2CH_3CH_2OH + 2Na \rightarrow 2CH_3CH_2ONa + H_2 \uparrow$$
Dehydration: $$CH_3CH_2OH \xrightarrow{\text{Conc. } H_2SO_4, 443K} CH_2=CH_2 + H_2O$$
Soaps are sodium or potassium salts of long chain carboxylic acids.
General Formula: $$RCOO^-Na^+$$
Example (Sodium Stearate): $$C_{17}H_{35}COO^-Na^+$$