) IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) – is used to name organic

compound.

Organic compound is divided into three portions which is Prefix + Root + Suffix.

1. Prefix – name of the branch or side chain.

General formula: CnH2n+1 –Where n = 1, 2, 3, … (n = number of carbon)

Formula Branch or name  of group

CH3 - methyl
C2H5 - ethyl
C3H7 - propyl
C4H9 - butyl
C5H11 - pentyl

2. Alkyl group signifies that it is not part of the main chain.

3. Two or more types of branches are present, name them in alphabetical order.

Number of side chain Prefix

2 Di-
3 Tri-
4 Tetra-
5 Penta-
6 Hexa-

4. More than one side chains are present, prefixes are used.
5. Root – the parent hydrocarbon (denotes the longest carbon chain).

Number of carbon atoms Root name

1 meth-
2 eth-
3 prop-
4 but-
5 pent-
6 hex-
7 hept-
8 oct-
9 nan-
10 dec-

o The longest continuous (straight chain) carbon chain is selected.

o Identify the number of carbon.
6. Suffix – functional group.
 Homologous series Functional group Suffix
Alkane -C–C- -ane
Alkene -C=C- -ene
Alcohol – OH -ol
Carboxylic acid – COOH -oic
Ester – COO – -oate

7. Example: 4-methylhept-2-ene.
8. Prefix + Root + Suffix

B) Family of Hydrocarbon – Alkane

1. General formula: CnH2n+2

Where n = 1, 2, 3, … (n = number of carbon)

2. Each carbon atom in alkanes is bonded to four other atoms by single covalent bonds.
Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbon.

Name of alkane Molecular formula of alkane

Methane CH4
Ethane C2H6
Propane C3H8
Butane C4H10
Pentane C5H12
Hexane C6H14
Heptane C7H16
Octane C8H18
Nonane C9H20
Decane C10H22

Molecular formula is a chemical formula that shows the actual number of atoms of each type of
elements
present in a molecule of the compound.

Example: molecular formula of butane is C4H2´4+2 = C4H10

Name Condensed structural formula of alkanes
Methane CH4
Ethane CH3CH3
Propane CH3CH2CH3
Butane CH3CH2CH2CH3
Pentane CH3 CH2CH2CH2CH3
Hexane CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH3
Heptane CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH3
Octane CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH3
Nonane CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH3
Decane CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2 CH3

Structural formula is a chemical formula that shows the atoms of elements are bonded
(arrangement of atoms) together in a molecule by what types of bond.

3. Physical properties of alkanes

Name Molecularformul RMM Density(g Physical state at

a cm-3) 25°C
Methane CH4 16 - Gas
Ethane C2H6 30 - Gas
Propane C3H8 44 - Gas
Butane C4H10 58 - Gas
Pentane C5H12 72 0.63 Liquid
Hexane C6H14 86 0.66 Liquid
Heptane C7H16 100 0.68 Liquid
Octane C8H18 114 0.70 Liquid
Nonane C9H20 128 0.72 Liquid
Decane C10H22 142 0.73 Liquid

Alkanes with more than 17 carbon atoms are solid.

 Solubility in water – all members in alkanes are insoluble in water but soluble in many
organic solvent (benzene and ether).
 Density of alkane – the density of water is higher than density of alkane.
When going down the series, relative molecular mass of alkanes is higher due to the
higher force of attraction between molecules and alkane molecules are packed closer
together.
 Electrical conductivity – all members in alkanes do not conduct electricity.
Alkanes are covalent compounds and do not contain freely moving ions.
 Boiling and melting points – all alkanes in general have low boiling points and melting
points.
Alkanes are held together by weak intermolecular forces.
4. Chemical properties of alkanes

 Reactivity of alkanes
Alkanes are less reactive (saturated hydrocarbon).
Alkanes have strong carbon-carbon (C – C) bonds and carbon-hydrogen (C – H) bonds.
All are single bonds which require a lot of energy to break.
Alkanes do not react with chemicals such as oxidizing agents, reducing agents, acids and
alkalis.
 Combustion of alkanes
Complete combustion of hydrocarbons
CxHy + (x + y/4) O2 –> xCO2 + y/2 H2O
CH4 +        2O2 –>  CO2 +    2H2OIncomplete combustion
occurs when insufficient supply of oxygen
CH4 + O2 –> C + H2O
2CH4 + 3O2 –> 2CO + 4H2O
 Substitution reaction of alkanes (Halogenation)
Substitution reaction is one atom (or a group of atoms) in a molecule is replaced by
another atom (or a group of atoms).
Substitution reaction of alkanes take place in ultraviolet light.
Example:
Alkanes react with bromine vapour (or chlorine) in the presence of UV light.
CH4 + Cl2 –> HCl + CH3Cl (Chloromethane)
CH3Cl + Cl2 –> HCl + CH2Cl2 (Dichloromethane)
CH2Cl2 + Cl2 –> HCl + CHCl3 (Trichloromethane)
CHCl3 + Cl2 –> HCl + CCl4 (Tetrachloromethane)
The rate of reaction between bromine and alkanes is slower than the rate of reaction
between chlorine and alkanes.

Non-Hydrocarbon – Carboxylic Acids

1. General formula: CnH2n+1COOH

 Where n = 0, 1, 2, 3 … (n = number of carbon)

2. Carboxylic acids are non-hydrocarbons which contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms.

3. The functional group in alcohols is carboxyl group, – COOH.

Name of carboxylic Molecular formula of

acids alcohol
Methanoic acid(Formic HCOOH
acid)
Ethanoic acid(Acetic CH3COOH
acid)
Propanoic acid C2H5COOH
Butanoic acid C3H7COH

4. Physical properties of carboxylic acid

Name Molecularformul Boiling point

a (°C)
Methanoic HCOOH 101
acid(Formic acid)
Ethanoic CH3COOH 118
acid(Acetic acid)
Propanoic acid C2H5COOH 141
Butanoic acid C3H7COH 164

 Solubility in water – generally in carboxylic acid (the less than four carbon atoms) are
very soluble in water and ionise partially to form weak .
 Density of carboxylic acid – density of carboxylic acid increases due to the increases in
the number of carbon atoms in a molecule.
 Boiling points – all carboxylic acid in general have relatively high boiling points than the
corresponding alkanes. This is due to the presence of carboxyl group in carboxylic acid.
 Smell – carboxylic acid (< 10 carbon) are colourless and pungent smell. Carboxylic acid
(>10 carbons) are wax-like solids.

5. Preparation of carboxylic acid

 Oxidation of an alcohol
The oxidation of ethanol is used to prepare ethanoic acid.
C2H5OH + 2[O] –> CH3COOH + H2O
Carried out by refluxing* ethanol with an oxidising agent
[acidified potassium dichromate(VI) solution – orange colour turns to green /
acidified potassium manganate(VII) solution – purple colour turns to colourless]
* reflux = upright Liebig condense to prevent the loss of a volatile liquid by vaporisation.

6. Chemical properties of carboxylic acid

 Acid properties
Ethanoic acid is a weak monoprotic acid that ionises partially in water (produce a low
concentration of hydrogen ions).
CH3COOH <–> CH3COO- + H+
Ethanoic acid turns moist blue litmus paper red.
 Reaction with metals
Ethanoic acid reacts with reactive metals (copper and metals below it in the reactivity
series cannot react with ethanoic acid).
(K, Na, Mg, Al, Zn, Fe, Sn, Pb, Cu, Hg, Au)
2CH3COOH + Zn –> Zn(CH3COO)2 + H2
In this reaction, a colourless solution (zinc ethanoate) is formed.
 2CH3COOH + Mg –> Mg(CH3COO)2 + H2
In this reaction, a colourless solution (magnesium ethanoate) is formed.
 Reaction with bases
acid neutralises alkalis (sodium hydroxide).
CH3COOH + NaOH –> CH3COONa + H2O
In this reaction, a salt (sodium ethanoate) and water are formed.
 Reaction with carbonates
Ethanoic acid reacts with metal carbonates (calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate,
zinc carbonate).
2CH3COOH + CaCO3 –> Ca(CH3COO)2 + CO2 + H2O
In this reaction, a salt (calcium ethanoate), carbon dioxide and water are formed.
 Reaction with alcohols (Esterification)
Ethanoic acid reacts with alcohol (ethanol, propanol, butanol)
CH3CO-OH + H-OC4H9 –> CH3COOC4H9 + H2O (Concentrated H2SO4 is a catalyst)
In this reaction, an ester (colourless sweet-smelling liquid) (butyl ethanoate) and water
are formed.

7. Uses of Carboxylic Acid

 Carboxylic acid (methanoic acid and ethanoic acid) is used to coagulate latex.
 Vinegar (dilute 4% of ethanoic acid) is used as preservative and flavouring.
 Ethanoic acid is used to make polyvinvyl acetate which is used to make plastics and
emulsion paints.
 Benzoic acid is used as food preservative.
 Butanoic acid is used to produce ester (artificial flavouring).

Carbon compounds should not be confused with carbon itself. It simply means compound that
contains carbon. Berry Readers can try to guess how many known carbon compounds there are
in the world now. (Answers will be provided at the end of the post). With carbon being the 15th
most easily found element on Earth’s crust, it is no wonder that carbon compounds are prevalent
in everyday life. One example of carbon compounds include the CO2 that you breathe out while
reading this BerryBerryEasy notes. It also include methane (CH4) which can be used to power
vehicles in the future. See the trend? As long as it has a C (carbon) component in it, it is a carbon
compound.

Students need to understand the definitions presented in this chapter of carbon compounds.
Another important thing is to memorise the general formula for the homologous series, as with it,
you can derive the chemical formula of most carbon compound covered in the syllabus using the
name alone. So take note on it. Lastly, try to understand the ‘fractional distillation’ portion of
hydrocarbon source. A very famous topic for exams.

SPM Chemistry Form 5 – Terminology and Concepts: Carbon Compounds

1. Organic compounds – carbon containing compounds with covalent bonds.

2. Inorganic compounds – non-living things and usually do not contain carbon but few
carbon containing inorganic compounds such as CO2, CaCO3 and KCN.
 3. Hydrocarbons – organic compounds that contain hydrogen and carbon atom only.
4. Non-hydrocarbons – organic compounds that contain other elements (oxygen, nitrogen,
iodine, phosphorus)
5. Saturated hydrocarbons – only single bonded (Carbon-Carbon) hydrocarbons.
6. Unsaturated hydrocarbons – at least one double / triple bonded (Carbon-Carbon)
hydrocarbons.
7. Complete combustion – organic compounds burn completely which form CO2 and H2O.
Example: C2H5OH (l) + O2 (g) –> 2CO2 (g) + 3H2O (l)
8. Incomplete combustion – organic compounds burn with limited supply of O2 which
form C (soot), CO, CO2 and H2O.

Homologous Series

Homologous series – organic compounds with similar formulae and properties. It have the
physical properties that change gradually as the number of carbon atoms in a molecule increases.

Carbon General Formula Functional group

Compounds
Alkane CnH2n+2 n = 1, 2, 3, … Carbon-carbon single bond
-C–C-
Alkene CnH2n n = 2, 3, 4, … Carbon-carbon double bond
-C=C-
Alkynes CnHn n = 2, 3, 4, … Carbon-carbon triple bond
-C=C-
Arenes CnH2n-6 n = 6, 7, 8, … -C=C-
delocalised / free to move
around the ring
Alcohol CnH2n+1OH n = 1, 2, 3, … Hydroxyl group
- OH
Carboxylic CnH2n+1COOH n = 0, 1, 2 Carboxyl group
Acids - COOH
Esters CnH2n+1COOCmH2m+1 n = 0, 1, 2, … Carboxylate group
m = 1, 2, 3, … - COO -

Sources of Hydrocarbon:

1.         Coal – from the lush vegetation that grew in warm shallow coastal swamps or dead
plants slowly become rock. Mainly contains of hydrocarbon and some sulphur and nitrogen. It is
used to produce: fertiliser, nylon, explosives and plastics.

2.         Natural gas – from plants and animals and trapped between the layers of impervious
rocks (on top of petroleum). Mainly contains of methane gas and other gas such as propane and
butane. It is used for: cooking, vehicle and generate electrical power.
3.         Petroleum – from plants and animals and trapped between the layers of impervious
rocks. It is a complex mixture of alkanes, alkenes, aromatic hydrocarbons and sulphur
compound. These compounds can be separated by using fractional distillation.

 < 35°C – petroleum gas

 35°C – 75°C – Petrol (gasoline)
 75°C – 170°C – Naphtha
 170°C – 230°C – Kerosene
 230°C – 250°C – Diesel
 250°C – 300°C – Lubricating oil
 300°C – 350°C – Fuel oil
 > 350°C – Bitumen

his is Part 3 of the long series of Berry Berry Easy essential and concise notes for SPM
Chemistry (Form 5) topic on Carbon Compounds. In the previous notes (Part 2), the focus is
placed on the alkane group (CnH2n+2) and also the IUPAC naming comvention. The Berry
Berry Teacher hopes that all of you are well versed in the IUPAC naming convention. Also
for those who have understood the properties of the alkane group, it is time to move on to
the alkene group. Try to find an analogy between the two groups.

Further back, Part 1 was on the types of compounds, hydrocarbons, combustions and
homologous series and sources of hydrocarbon. Be sure to read all the notes, and take note
that this is a long chapter, so there will be more notes on this topic. So for now, try to
understand part 3.

SPM Chemistry Form 5 – Terminology and Concepts: Carbon Compounds (Part 3)

Family of Hydrocarbon – Alkene

1. General formula: CnH2n

Where n = 2, 3, 4 … (n = number of carbon)

2. Alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons which contain one or more carbon-carbon (C = C)

double bonds in molecules.

3. The functional group in alkenes is carbon-carbon double (C = C) bond.

Name of alkene Molecular formula of alkene
Ethene C2H4
Propene C3H6
Butene C4H8
Pentene C5H10
Hexene C6H12
Heptene C7H14
Octene C8H16
Nonene C9H18
Decene C10H20

* Molecular formula is a chemical formula that shows the actual number of atoms of
each type of elements present in a molecule of the compound.
Example: molecular formula of butene is C4H2x4 = C4H8

4. Physical properties of alkenes

Name Molecularformula RMM Density(g cm-3) Physical state at 25°C
Ethene C2H4 28 0.0011 Gas
Propene C3H6 42 0.0018 Gas
Butene C4H8 56 0.0023 Gas
Pentene C5H10 70 0.6430 Liquid
Hexene C6H12 84 0.6750 Liquid
Heptene C7H14 98 0.6980 Liquid
Octene C8H16 112 0.7160 Liquid
Nonene C9H18 126 0.7310 Liquid
Decene C10H20 140 0.7430 Liquid

* Solubility in water – all members in alkenes are insoluble in water but soluble in many
organic solvent (benzene and ether).
* Density of alkene – the density of water is higher than density of alkene.
When going down the series, relative molecular mass of alkenes is higher due to the
higher force of attraction between molecules and alkene molecules are packed closer
together.
* Electrical conductivity – all members in alkenes do not conduct electricity.
Alkenes are covalent compounds and do not contain freely moving ions.
* Boiling and melting points – all alkenes in general have low boiling points and melting
points. Alkenes are held together by weak attractive forces between molecules
(intermolecular forces) van der Waals’ force. When going down the series, more energy is
required to overcome the attraction. Hence, the boiling and melting points increases.

5. Chemical properties of alkenes

* Reactivity of alkenes
Alkenes are more reactive (unsaturated hydrocarbon).
Alkenes have carbon-carbon (C = C) double bonds which is more reactive than carbon-
carbon (C-C) single bonds. All the reaction occur at the double bonds.
* Combustion of alkenes
Complete combustion of hydrocarbons (alkenes)
CxHy + (x + y/4) O2 –> xCO2 + y/2 H2O
 C2H4 + 3O2 –> 2CO2 + 2H2O
(Alkenes burn with sootier flames than alkanes. It is because the percentage of carbon
in alkene molecules is higher than alkane molecules and alkenes burn plenty of oxygen to
produce carbon dioxide and water)

Incomplete combustion occurs when insufficient supply of oxygen

C2H4 + O2 –> 2C + 2H2O
C2H4 + 2O2 –> 2CO + 2H2O
(The flame in the incomplete combustion of alkenes is more smoky than alkanes)
* Polymerisation reaction of alkenes
Polymers are substances that many monomers are bonded together in a repeating
sequence.
Polymerisation is small alkene molecules (monomers) are joined together to form a long
chain (polymer).
nCH2 = CH2 –> -(- CH2 – CH2 -)-n
ethene (monomer)(unsaturated compound) –> polyethene polymer (saturated compound)
It must be carry out in high temperature and pressure.
* Addition of hydrogen (Hydrogenation)
Addition reaction is atoms (or a group of atoms) are added to each carbon atom of a
carbon-carbon multiple bond to a single bond.
C2H4 + H2 –> C2H6 (catalyst: nickel and condition: 200°C)
Example: margarine (produce from hydrogenation of vegetable oils).
* Addition of halogen (Halogenation)
Halogenation is the addition of halogens to alkenes (no catalyst of ultraviolet light is
needed).
Alkene + Halogen –> Dihaloalkane
C2H4 + Br2 –> C2H4Br2
In this reaction the brown colour of bromine decolourised (immediately) to produce a
colourless organic liquid.
Bromination is also used to identify an unsaturated (presence of a carbon-carbon
double bond) organic compound in a chemical test.
* Addition of hydrogen halides
Hydrogen halides (HX) are hydrogen chlorine, hydrogen bromide, hydrogen iodide and
etc. This reaction takes place rapidly in room temperature and without catalyst.
CnH2n + HX –> CnH2n+1X
C2H4 + HBr –> C2H5Br (Bromoethane)
(There are two products for additional of hydrogen halide to propene. The products
are 1-bromopropane and 2-bromopropane).
* Addition of water (Hydration)
Alkenes do not react with water under ordinary condition. It can react with a mixture
of alkene and steam pass over a catalyst (Phosphoric acid, H3PO4). The product is an
alcohol.
 CnH2n + H2O –> CnH2n+1OH
C2H4 + H2O –> C2H5OH
* Additional of acidified potassium manganate(VII), KMnO4
CnH2n + [O] + H2O –> CnH2n(OH)2
C2H4 + [O] + H2O –> C2H5(OH)2
The purple colour of KMnO4 solution decolourised immediately to produce colourless
organic liquid. Also used to identify the presence of a carbon-carbon double bond in a
chemical test.