Hydro-

Definition

The prefix 'hydro-' is derived from the Greek word 'hydor' meaning 'water'. This prefix is used in chemistry to indicate a compound or substance that is related to, derived from, or contains water. It is a common prefix used in the context of chemical nomenclature to denote the presence of water or a water-based component within a chemical structure or compound.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The 'hydro-' prefix is commonly used in the naming of inorganic and organic compounds to indicate the presence of water or a water-based component.
2. Compounds with the 'hydro-' prefix often have properties related to water solubility, reactivity with water, or water-based structure.
3. In organic chemistry, the 'hydro-' prefix is used to denote the addition of hydrogen atoms to a compound, as in the case of hydrogenation reactions.
4. Hydrolysis reactions, which involve the splitting of a compound by the addition of water, often utilize the 'hydro-' prefix to indicate the water-based nature of the process.
5. The 'hydro-' prefix is also found in the names of many natural and synthetic compounds, such as hydrocarbons, hydroxyls, and hydrides, which contain water-related functional groups or structural features.

Review Questions

• Explain how the 'hydro-' prefix is used in the context of chemical nomenclature.
  • In chemical nomenclature, the 'hydro-' prefix is used to indicate the presence of water or a water-based component within a compound. This prefix is commonly found in the names of inorganic and organic compounds, and it often signifies properties related to water solubility, reactivity with water, or water-based structure. For example, the term 'hydrophilic' refers to substances that have an affinity for water and can readily dissolve in or interact with water, while 'hydrophobic' describes substances that tend to avoid or repel water.
• Describe the role of the 'hydro-' prefix in organic chemistry reactions.
  • In organic chemistry, the 'hydro-' prefix is used to denote the addition of hydrogen atoms to a compound, as in the case of hydrogenation reactions. These reactions involve the addition of hydrogen gas (H2) to an unsaturated organic compound, such as an alkene or alkyne, to produce a more saturated compound. The 'hydro-' prefix in this context indicates the incorporation of hydrogen, which is a key component of water (H2O), into the organic structure. Additionally, the 'hydro-' prefix is found in the names of many organic compounds that contain water-related functional groups or structural features, such as hydroxyls and hydrides.
• Explain the significance of the 'hydro-' prefix in the context of hydrolysis reactions.
  • Hydrolysis reactions involve the splitting of a compound by the addition of water. In these reactions, the 'hydro-' prefix is used to indicate the water-based nature of the process. During hydrolysis, the water molecule is cleaved into its constituent parts, hydrogen (H+) and hydroxide (OH-) ions, which then react with the target compound to break it down into smaller, more water-soluble components. The 'hydro-' prefix in the term 'hydrolysis' highlights the central role that water plays in this type of chemical reaction, where the water molecule acts as a reactant and facilitates the breakdown of the compound.

Related terms

Hydrophilic: Substances or molecules that have an affinity for water and are able to dissolve in or interact readily with water.

Hydrophobic: Substances or molecules that tend to avoid or repel water, preferring to associate with other non-polar or hydrophobic substances.

Hydrolysis:

A chemical reaction in which a molecule is cleaved into two or more parts by the addition of water.