Chapter 2. Alkanes. This chapter deals with the chemistry of one of the simplest families of organic compounds called alkanes. We shall be interested in learning and understanding the structure of alkanes and how that structure relates to their physical and chemical properties. In fact, understanding structure-property relationships of all organic compounds will constitute one of the most important goals of the course. Structure is the intellectual map which will allow the class to navigate through the forest of information that makes up the field of organic chemistry. Familiarity and fluency in dealing with representations of organic structures (Lewis structure, molecular geometry, molecular models) is as important for understanding organic chemistry as are familiarity and fluency in vocabulary and grammar, for success in understanding a language.

The nomenclature of organic compounds is introduced in this chapter. It is important to learn the rules by which organic compounds are named in order to communicate information concerning structures and reactions. It is straightforward to go from a systematic name to a structure, but complicated in many cases to go in the direction from structure to systematic name. We shall only be interested in going from name to structure and not in naming structures.

Readings: 2.1-2.10, 2.12-2.14, 2.16

Homework Problems: 2.4, 2.18, 2.24, 2.31, 2.37, 2.39, 2.41

Recommended: Visit the slide show on Chapter 2 on the course home page or in 209A Havemeyer.