CHEM 10052 - Introduction to Organic Chemistry
Summer 1999 - Exam #4 Review
Classes of Compounds
| Class | General Formula | Polarity | H-Bonding | Major Reactions |
| Aldehyde |  |
Polar | No | Oxidation, Reduction, Addition, Aldol |
| Ketone |  |
Polar | No | Reduction, Addition, Aldol |
| Carboxylic Acid |
 |
Polar | Yes | Substitution Reactions |
| Ester |  |
Polar | No | |
| Amide |  |
Polar | Yes | |
| Acid Chloride |  |
Polar | No | |
| Anhydride |  |
Polar | No | |
| Amine |  |
Polar | Yes* | Acid/Base, Substitution |
See the pages referred to by the above links for more information
about these reactions.
* Only 1° and 2° amines contain a N-H bond, so 3° amines cannot act as H-bond donors.
Oxidation/Reduction of Aldehydes and Ketones
In general, aldehydes are easily oxidized into the corresponding carboxylic acids. This reaction provides a simple chemical means of distinguishing certain types of sugars. Aldose sugars contain an aldehyde group and are easily oxidized, while ketose sugars (which contain a ketone) are not.
Both aldehydes and ketones can be reduced to generate alcohols. Reduction of aldehydes gives 1° alcohols, while reduction of ketones gives 2° alcohols.
|
+ [O] ¾® | |
carboxylic acid |
|
+ [H] ¾® | RCH2(OH) | 1° alcohol |
|
+ [H] ¾® | R(R')CH(OH) | 2° alcohol |