Organic Chemistry Terms

A polymer formed when many unsaturated monomers join together by addition polymerisation.

A reaction in which atoms are added to a molecule, often across a carbon–carbon double bond.

A saturated hydrocarbon that contains only single carbon–carbon covalent bonds.

An unsaturated hydrocarbon that contains at least one carbon–carbon double bond.

The process of breaking large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller ones using heat and a catalyst.

A chemical reaction in which a substance reacts with oxygen to release energy in the form of heat and light.

The burning of a fuel in excess oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water.

A naturally occurring liquid fossil fuel found underground that is a mixture of different hydrocarbons.

A non-renewable energy resource formed from the remains of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago.

A group of hydrocarbons with similar boiling points that are separated from crude oil during fractional distillation.