Alkanes Flashcards
Alkanes:
What are Alkanes?
Saturared HC
Alkanes: Boiling Point & Chain Length
What happens to the Bp as the chain length increases?
Increases
↳ increase in electrons : more LFs
Alkanes: Boiling Point & Branches
Do long-chain Alkanes have a higher Bp than branched ones?
Yes
↳ branched = more compact : easier to break
↳ decrease in intermolecular forces
Alkanes: Reaction w Halogens/ Free Radical Subsitution Reaction
What is needed for Alkanes to react w Halogens?
Sunlight (UV)
(3 step reaction)
Alkanes: Reaction w Halogens/ Free Radical Subsitution Reaction
Cl is broken into free Radicals in presence of UV radiation
(Step 1: Initiation)
- UV provides enough energy to break Cl-Cl bond (Photdissociation)
- Bonds break evenly, each atom keeps an electron (Homolytic Fission)
- Atom becomes a very reactive radical
Alkanes: Reaction w Halogens/ Free Radical Subsitution Reaction
Cl free Radicals attack Methane breaking the C-H bond
(Step 2: Propagation (1))
- Cl attacks Methane mol
Alkanes: Reaction w Halogens/ Free Radical Subsitution Reaction
Methyl free Radicals attack Cl mol
(Step 3: Propagation (2))
- Methyl radical attacks Cl mol
- New Cl radical can attack another methane mol
↳ until all Cl & CH4 mol are wiped out
Alkanes: Reaction w Halogens/ Free Radical Subsitution Reaction
When 2 Radicals combine, a single mol is formed & chain reaction stops
(Step 4: Termination)
Alkanes: Reaction w Halogens/ Free Radical Subsitution Reaction
What’s the Problem with this reaction?
You end up with a mixture of products
Alkanes: Crude Oil
What is Petroleum?
Crude oil
Alkanes: Crude Oil
What is Crude Oil made of?
Mixture of HC
* Mainly alkanes
Alkanes: Crude Oil
What is Fractional Distillation?
Breaking longer alkanes into smaller ones
Alkanes: Crude Oil
Why do we use Fractional Distillation?
Crude Oil isnt useful : so its separated into smaller units
Alkanes: Crude Oil
What happens as Crude Oil Vapour goes up the Fractionating Columns?
It cools down
Alkanes: Crude Oil
What happened to the Bp as you go down the Fractionating Columns?
It decreases
↳ longer alkanes are at the bottom