Nomenclature of Complex Organic Compounds and Infrared Spectroscopy

This page delves deeper into the nomenclature of complex organic compounds and introduces the principles of infrared spectroscopy for identifying functional groups.

For naming organic compounds with multiple substituents, the following rules apply:

1. List the names of the substituents in alphabetical order, preceded by their position numbers.
2. Name the main carbon chain.

Example: 2-methylpentane for a compound with a methyl group attached to the second carbon of a five-carbon chain.

When naming compounds with characteristic groups, the format is: [position number]-[substituent name]-[main chain name]-[position number]-[functional group suffix]

Example: 4-methylpentan-2-ol for a compound with a methyl group at position 4 and an alcohol group at position 2 on a five-carbon chain.

The document then introduces infrared spectroscopy as a tool for identifying functional groups in organic molecules. An infrared absorption spectrum is a graph showing transmittance (T) versus wavenumber (σ), expressed in cm⁻¹.

Definition: Infrared spectroscopy is an analytical technique that uses infrared radiation to identify and study chemicals.

The spectrum is divided into two main regions:

1. High wavenumber region (4000-1300 cm⁻¹): Shows characteristic bands for specific bonds.
2. Low wavenumber region (<1500 cm⁻¹): Known as the "fingerprint region", not typically analyzed in detail.

Highlight: The high wavenumber region of an infrared spectrum is crucial for identifying functional groups in organic molecules.

The document concludes by mentioning that specific wavenumbers correspond to particular chemical bonds, allowing for the identification of functional groups in organic compounds.

Vocabulary: Wavenumber is the reciprocal of wavelength and is commonly used in infrared spectroscopy to express the frequency of radiation.