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1.2 Organic Chemistry > Alkanes > Flashcards

Alkanes Flashcards

1
Q

Define alkanes.

A

Compounds containing only C-C and C-H single bonds

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2
Q

What is the general molecular formula for alkanes?

A

CnH2n+2

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3
Q

What is the general formula for cycloalkanes?

A

CnH2n

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4
Q

What is each successive member of a homologous series called?

A

a homologue

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5
Q

What is the repeating unit for alkanes?

A

CH2

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6
Q

What is CH2 called?

A

Methylene group

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7
Q

How does each homologue in the alkane series differ from one another?

A

Each homologue has one more C atom than the preceding member

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8
Q

What is a methylene group?

A

CH2

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9
Q

Are alkanes and cycloalkanes saturated or unsaturated?

A

They are saturated

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10
Q

What does saturated mean?

A

They contain the maximum number of H per C and have no double or triple bonds

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11
Q

What is the definition of a homologous series (in terms of alkanes)?
(5)

A

Molecules that have the same general formula

Homologues differ by CH2

Contain the same functional group

Show gradation in physical properties as molar mass increases

Homologues can be prepared by similar methods

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12
Q

What are branched alkanes?

A

Alkane molecules that have more than three C atoms that can be arranged in more than one way

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13
Q

How many C atoms are needed in order for an alkane to be branched?

A

Three

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14
Q

Give an example of an alkane that has a branched form.

A

Butane

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15
Q

What is the branched form of butane?

A

Isobutane

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16
Q

Describe the structure of isobutane.

A

2, methylpropane

A methyl branch exists off the second carbon in the longest chain

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17
Q

In general when is ‘iso’ used in relation to branched alkanes?

A

When there is one methyl group attached to the longest carbon chain

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18
Q

In general when is ‘neo’ used in relation to branched alkanes?

A

When there is two methyl groups attached to the carbon chain

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19
Q

What is an unbranched alkane often called?

3

A

An n-alkane
A normal alkane
An unbranched alkane

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20
Q

How many structural isomers does pentane have?

A

Three

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21
Q

List the three structural isomers of pentane.

A

Pentane

Methylbutane / isopentane

Dimethylpropane / Neopentane

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22
Q

What is methylbutane more commonly called?

A

Isopentane

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23
Q

What is dimethylpropane more commonly called?

A

Neopentane

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24
Q

What is nomenclature?

A

The naming of organic compounds

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25
Who regulates the naming of organic compounds?
IUPAC
26
What does IUPAC stand for?
The International Union for Pure and Applied Chemistry
27
What is the word equation for naming alkanes?
Prefix - Parent - Suffix
28
In naming alkanes, what is the prefix?
The name and position of substituents E.g 2-methyl____
29
In naming alkanes, what is the parent?
The length of the longest carbon chain E.g. ___prop___
30
In naming alkanes, what is the suffix?
The main functional group E.g. ________ane
31
What is CH3 called?
a methyl group
32
What is C2H5 called?
An ethyl group
33
What is C3H7 called?
A propyl group
34
What is C4H9?
A butyl group
35
What is C5H11?
A pentyl/amyl group
36
What is a methyl group?
CH3
37
What is an ethyl group?
C2H5
38
What is a propyl group?
C3H7
39
What is a butyl group?
C4H9
40
What is a pentyl/amyl group?
C5H11
41
What does a squiggly line indicate in skeletal structures?
They indicate that the group is attached to a substituent of some kind
42
What prefix is used when naming cycloalkanes?
Cyclo before the alkane name
43
What is the smallest possible cycloalkane?
Cyclopropane
44
What is the smallest possible cycloalkyl?
Cyclcopropyl
45
What does the skeletal structure of cyclopropane look like?
A triangle
46
How are carbon atoms in a molecule classified?
Based on the number of C-C bonds that are present
47
What determines the reactivity of a carbon atoms?
The number of C neighbours that a C atom has
48
What four types of carbon atoms can be found in alkane structures?
Primary Secondary Tertiary Quaternary
49
What is a quaternary carbon?
A carbon attached to four other carbons
50
What is a functional group?
A specific atom or group of atoms which determines an organic compound's chemical reactivity and physical properties
51
Name a functional group?
Haloalkanes (alkyl halides)
52
What two groups are not considered functional groups but are often found in alkane structures?
Alkyl and cycloalkane
53
Why are alkyl and cycloalkane substituents not functional groups?
This is because they are looked upon as being just part of a molecule's framework
54
What are haloalkanes?
Chemical compounds in which one or more of the H atoms in an alkane have been replaced by a halogen atom
55
List the halogens. | 4
Fluorine Chlorine Bromine Iodine
56
What are the halogens often abbreviated to?
X
57
Are haloalkanes saturated or unsaturated?
They are saturated
58
What is the general molecular formula for monosubstituted haloalkanes?
CnH2n+1X
59
What is CH3F?
Fluoromethane
60
How do you change the halogen substituent?
Change the 'ine' to 'o' Fluorine to fluoro
61
Which is named first an alkyl substituent or a halo-substitutent?
They are names based on alphabetisation
62
What letter is used to represent an alkyl group?
R
63
What are isomers?
Isomers are molecules with the same number and type of atoms but show different spatial arrangements
64
What are structural (or constitutional) isomers?
Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulas
65
How many different types of structural isomerism are there?
Three
66
What are the three types of structural isomerism?
Chain isomerism Position isomerism Functional isomerism
67
What is chain isomerism?
Isomers that arise because of the possibility of branching in C chains
68
What is position isomerism?
Isomerism where the basic C skeleton remains unchanged but important groups are moved around on that skeleton
69
What is functional group isomerism?
Isomers contain different functional groups, that is, they belong to different families of compounds
70
What is petroleum?
A liquid mixture containing hundreds of substances
71
Describe the relationship between boiling point and unbranched and branched alkanes. (2)
The boiling point of unbranched alkanes increase with the number of C atoms The boiling point of branched alkanes are lower than those of their unbranched isomer
72
What three types of attractive forces?
Dipole/Dipole Dipole/ induced-dipole Induced-dipole/induced-dipole
73
What type of attractive force is present in alkanes?
Induced-dipole/ induced-dipole attractive force

1.2 Organic Chemistry (15 decks)

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