3.6 Organic Chemistry Flashcards
What do organic compounds contain?
Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
What is a homologous series?
A series of molecules with a general formula
What is a functional group?
Defines the family the compound belongs to
What is display formula?
The bonds drawn out
What is the molecular formula?
The components collected together saying how many of each there are
What is the structural formula?
The broken down molecular formula and written version of how the bonds are drawn
Name the first three alcohols?
Methanol
Ethanol
Propanol
What functional group do alcohols have?
OH
What are the properties of the first 3 alcohols?
Dissolve in water to form a neutral solution
When completely burned in air they produce CO2 and H2O
Reacts with sodium to produce hydrogen
What are alcohols used in?
Fuels and solvents
What is the main alcohol in alcoholic drinks?
Ethanol
Name the first 3 carboxylic acids?
Methanoic acid
Ethanoic acid
Propanoic acid
What is the functional group of carboxylic acids?
COOH
What are the properties of carboxylic acids?
Dissolve in water to produce an acidic solution
Reacts with carbonates producing CO2
Reacts with alcohols and acid catalyst to produce esters
What happens to a carboxylic acid in water?
It doesn’t ionise completely
Making it a weak acid
What is a weak acid compared with a strong acid?
An aqueous solution of weak acid have a higher pH than
An aqueous solution of strong acid with the same concentration
What is made from oxidised ethanol?
Ethanoic acid
What is the main acid in vinegar?
Ethanoic acid
What is an ester?
An alcohol + a carboxylic acid -> Ester + water
What is the only reaction for an ester you need to know?
Ethanol + ethanoic acid -> ethyl ethanoate + water
What is the functional group of an ester?
COO
In the middle
What are some properties and uses of esters?
Volatile compounds
Distinctive smells
Used in flavourings and perfumes
What are some advantages of organic chemistry?
Can be used in many different ways: food, drink, fuel etc…
Biofuels are an alternative to fossil fuels helping problems of diminishing resources
What are some disadvantages of organic chemistry?
Alcoholic drinks and solvents can be abused leading to health and social issues
Crops for biofuels wastes the land area for food production
