CHEMISTRY GLOSSARY

aromatic compounds    →   aromatski ugljikovodici

Aromatic compounds are a major group of unsaturated cyclic hydrocarbons containing one or more rings, typified by benzene, which has a 6-carbon ring containing three double bonds. All the bonds in benzene (C₆H₆) are the same length intermediate between double and single C-C bonds. The properties arise because the electrons in the p-orbitals are delocalised over the ring, giving extra stabilization energy of 150 kJ/mol over the energy of Kekulé structure. Aromatic compounds are unsaturated compounds, yet they do not easily partake in addition reactions.

Historical use of the term implies a ring containing only carbon (e.g., benzene, naphthalene), but it is often generalized to include heterocyclic structures such as pyridine and thiophene.

hydrocarbon    →   ugljikovodici

Hydrocarbon is a compound containing only carbon and hydrogen.

alicyclic    →   aliciklički spojevi

Alicyclic compounds are aliphatic compounds with a ring of atoms. They have C_nH_2n general formula (e.g. cyclohexane C₆H₁₂).

alkanes    →   alkani

Alkanes (paraffins) are acyclic branched or unbranched hydrocarbons having the general formula C_nH_2n+2, and therefore consisting entirely of hydrogen atoms and saturated carbon atoms. In the systematic chemical nomenclature alkane names end in the suffix -ane. They form a homologous series (the alkane series) methane (CH₄), ethane (C₂H₆), propane (C₃H₈), butane (C₄H₁₀), etc. The lower members of the series are gases; the high-molecular mass alkanes are waxy solid. Generaly the alkanes are fairly unreactive. They form haloalkanes with halogens when irradiated with ultraviolet radiation. Alkanes are present in natural gas and petroleum.

alkenes    →   alkeni

Alkenes are acyclic branched or unbranched hydrocarbons having one or more double carbon-carbon bonds in their molecules. In the systematic chemical nomenclature, alkene names end in the suffix -ene. The general formula is C_nH_(2n+2)-2x were x is the number of double bonds. Alkenes that have only one double bond form a homologous series: ethene (ethylene), CH₂=CH₂, propene, CH₃CH₂=CH₂, etc. Alkenes typically undergo addition reactions to the double bond.

alkynes    →   alkini

Alkynes (acetylenes) are acyclic branched or unbranched hydrocarbons having one or more triple carbon-carbon bond. In the systematic chemical nomenclature alkyne names end in the suffix -yne. The general formula is C_nH_(2n+2)-4x were x is the number of triple bonds. Alkynes that have only one triple bond form a homologous series: ethyne (acetylene), CH≡CH, propyne, CH₃CH≡CH, etc. Like alkenes, alkynes undergo addition reaction.

arenes    →   areni

Arenes are monocyclic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

catalytic hydrogenation    →   katalitičko hidrogeniranje

Catalytic hydrogenation is the infusing of unsaturated or impure hydrocarbons with hydrogen gas at controlled temperatures and pressures and in the presence of a catalyst for the purpose of obtaining saturated hydrocarbons and/or removing various impurities such as sulphur and nitrogen.

cycloalkanes    →   cikloalkani

Cycloalkanes are cyclic saturated hydrocarbons containing a ring of carbon atoms joined by single bonds. They have the general formula C_nH_2n, for example cyclohexane, C₆H₁₂. In general, they behave like the alkanes but are rather less reactive.

dienes    →   dieni

Dienes are unsaturated organic compounds that contain two fixed double bonds between carbon atoms. Dienes in which the two double-bond units are linked by one single bond are termed conjugated.