Online Chemistry Notes for Students
Saturated Hydrocarbons Definition Saturated hydrocarbons are the simplest forms of hydrocarbons consisting entirely of single bonds that remain saturated with hydrogen atoms. The general formula for acyclic saturated hydrocarbons or alkanes is CnH2n+2. The more general formula can also be written as CnH2n+2(1-r), where r is the number of rings. … Read more
Organic Compounds Definition Organic compounds are chemical compounds composed of one or more carbon atoms bonded to other elements like hydrogen, oxygen, or nitrogen. Organic compounds consist of multiple carbon-hydrogen and carbon-carbon bonds that hold the structures together. Organic compounds are the result of the catenation property of carbon atoms … Read more
Definition of Lewis Acids and Bases Gilbert Newton Lewis (American, 1923) put forward a broader concept of acids and bases on the basis of electron transfer. This concept is called the Lewis concept. Lewis’s concept eliminates the necessity of the presence of hydrogen in acid, and it accepts not only … Read more
Differences between Acid and Base Image Source: Pinterest Basis Acid Base Arrhenius concept An acid is a substance that produces hydrogen ion (H+) as the only positive ion when mixed with water. A base is a substance that produces hydroxyl ion (OH–) as the only negative ion when mixed with … Read more
Ester Definition An ester is a group of organic compounds that are derived from organic acids where at least one –OH group is replaced by an -O- group. The functional group in ester is the ester group (COOR) which is usually formed as a result of a substitution reaction between … Read more
Ethanol Definition Ethanol or ethyl alcohol is the primary alcohol that is formed by the substitution of a hydrogen atom in the alkane, ethane by a hydroxyl group. It is an organic compound composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen with the molecular formula C2H5OH. The formula can be written as … Read more
Aldehyde Definition An aldehyde is a type of organic compound containing the functional group with the structure –CHO, where the carbon double-bonded to oxygen is termed the carbonyl group. Aldehydes are generally formed by the removal of a hydrogen atom from an alcohol compound. The chemical formula of aldehyde is … Read more
Covalent Bond Definition A covalent bond is a type of linkage between the atoms of the same or different elements as a result of the mutual sharing of electrons. The bond is formed as a result of the electrostatic force of attraction between the nuclei and the electrons. Covalent bonds … Read more
Baking Soda Definition Baking soda is a chemical substance that is a salt composed of sodium and bicarbonate ions, primarily used as a leavening agent in baking. The chemical name of the substance is sodium bicarbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate with the chemical formula, NaHCO3. Baking soda is a solid … Read more
Cofactors Definition A cofactor is the non-protein part of an enzyme that is essential for the enzyme’s activity as a catalyst. Cofactors, together with the apoenzyme (protein component), form the complete enzyme (holoenzyme). The removal of the cofactor from an enzyme results in the loss of enzymatic activity. Cofactors can … Read more