Alkanes Flashcards
State the meaning of the term structural isomers.
(Compounds with the) same molecular formulaBut different structural formula
But-1-ene (C4H8) burns in a limited supply of air to produce a solid and water only. Write an equation for this reaction.
C4H8 + 2O2 ->4C + 4H2O
State 2 hazards associated with the solid product produced above
*Exacerbates asthma / breathing problems / damages lungs *smog / smoke global dimming
In cars fitted with catalytic converters, unburned octane reacts with nitrogen monoxide to form carbon dioxide, water and nitrogen only.Write an equation for this reaction
C8H18+25NO-> 8CO2 +12.5N2 +9H2O
Identify a catalyst used in a catalytic converter.
Ir / iridiumORPt / platinumORPd / palladiumORRh / rhodium
State a process used to separate an alkane from a mixture of alkanes.
Fractional distillation GLC gas liquid chromatography
The following table shows the boiling points of some straight-chain alkanes. Boiling point / oCCH4 –162C2H6 –88C3H8 -42C4H10 -1C5H12 36Both C3H8 and C4H10 can be liquefied and used as fuels for camping stoves. Suggest, with a reason, which of these two fuels is liquefied more easily.
C4H10Because it has a higher bp / has stronger IMF / larger molecule / longer chain / larger surface (area)
Write an equation for the complete combustion of C4H10
C4H10 + 6 1⁄2 O2 →4CO2 +5H2O
Explain why the complete combustion of C4H10 may contribute to environmental problems.
CO2 or H2O evolved is a greenhouse gas / CO2 or H2O evolved contribute to global warming / the products are greenhouse gases
Balance the following equation that shows how butane is used to make the compound called maleic anhydride………..CH3CH2CH2CH3 + ………. O2 → ……….C2H2(CO)2O + ………. H2O
CH3CH2CH2CH3 + 3.5O2 → C2H2(CO)2O + 4H2O
Ethanethiol (C2H5SH), a compound with an unpleasant smell, is added to gas to enable leaks from gas pipes to be more easily detected.Write an equation for the combustion of ethanethiol to form carbon dioxide, water and sulfur dioxide
C2H5SH + 4.5O2 → 2CO2 + 3H2O + SO2
Identify a compound that is used to react with the sulfur dioxide in the products of combustion before they enter the atmosphere.Give one reason why this compound reacts with sulfur dioxide.
Calcium oxide / calcium carbonateNeutralises the SO2 / acid base reaction / it is a base
Ethanethiol and ethanol molecules have similar shapes. Explain why ethanol has the higher boiling point.
)Ethanol contains Hydrogen bondingWhich is stronger than IMF (VDW / dipole-dipole forces) in ethanethiol/ (H bonding) is the strongest IMF
State the type of cracking that produces a high proportion of ethene and propene. Give the two conditions for this cracking process.
Thermal (cracking)High pressure AND high temperatureORPressure of ≥ 10 atm, ≥ 1 MPa ≥ 1000 kPa ANDtemp of 4000C≤T≤10000C or650K≤T≤ 1300K
Hexane (C6H14) is a member of the homologous series of alkanes.Name the raw material from which hexane is obtained.
Crude oil
Name the process used to obtain hexane from this raw material.
Fractional distillation
State the type of cracking that produces a high percentage of alkenes. State the conditions needed for this type of cracking.
Thermal cracking High temperature(400°C ≤ T ≤ 900°C) or (650 K ≤ T ≤ 1200 K) andHigh pressure (≥ 10 atm, ≥ 1 MPa, ≥1000 kPa)
Explain the main economic reason why alkanes are cracked.
To produce substances which are (more) in demand / produce products with a high value / products worth more
Hexane can react with chlorine under certain conditions as shown in the following equation.C6H14 + Cl2 → C6H13Cl + HClBoth the products are hazardous. The organic product would be labelled ‘flammable’.Suggest the most suitable hazard warning for the other product.
Corrosive
C6H14 + Cl2 → C6H13Cl + HClCalculate the percentage atom economy for the formation of C6H13Cl (Mr = 120.5) inthis reaction.
( 120.5 / (86 +71) × 100 ) =76.75(%) or 76.8(%)
Alkanes are used as fuels. A student burned some octane (C8H18) in air and found that the combustion was incomplete.Write an equation for the incomplete combustion of octane to produce carbon monoxide as the only carbon-containing product.Suggest one reason why the combustion was incomplete.
C8H18 + 81/2 O 2 → 8 CO + 9H2ONot enough oxygen or air (available for complete combustion) /lack of oxygen or air
Catalytic converters are used to remove the toxic gases NO and CO that are produced when alkane fuels are burned in petrol engines.Write an equation for a reaction between these two toxic gases that occurs in a catalytic converter when these gases are removed.
2CO+2NO→2CO2 +N2
Identify a metal used as a catalyst in a catalytic converter.Suggest one reason, other than cost, why the catalyst is coated on a ceramic honeycomb.
Pt / Pd / Rh / Ir or namesBig(ger) surface area / increased reaction rate / removes more of the gases / ensures complete reaction
If a sample of fuel for a power station is contaminated with an organic sulfur compound, a toxic gas is formed by complete combustion of this sulfur compound.State one environmental problem that can be caused by the release of this gas.
Acid rain
Identify one substance that could be used to remove this gas. Suggest one reason, other than cost, why this substance is used.
CaO/ lime / CaCO3 /limestoneNeutralises the gas or words to that effect/it is basic/ SO2 is acidic
There is a risk of gas explosions in coal mines. This risk is mainly due to the presence of methane. If the percentage of coal-mine methane (CMM) in the air in the mine is greater than 15%, the explosion risk is much lower. CMM slowly escapes from the mine into the atmosphere.Write an equation to show the complete combustion of methane.Suggest one reason why there is a much lower risk of an explosion if the percentage of CMM is greater than 15%.State why it is beneficial to the environment to collect the CMM rather than allowing it to escape into the atmosphere.
CH4+2O2—->CO2 +2H2O Not enough oxygen / airCMM / methane is a greenhouse gas / contributes to global warming
Methane can be obtained from crude oil. Some of this crude oil contains an impurity called methanethiol (CH3SH). This impurity causes environmental problems when burned.Write an equation to show the complete combustion of methanethiol.State why calcium oxide can be used to remove the sulfur-containing product of this combustion reaction.State one pollution problem that is caused by the release of this sulfur-containing product into the atmosphere.
CH3SH + 3O2 —>CO2 +2H2O+SO2Calcium oxide is basic (and SO2 is acidic) / CaO neutralises SO2 /CaO reacts with SO2 to form gypsum / salt / solid / CaSO4 / CaSO3Allow CaO + SO2 –> CaSO3 Acid rain
Pentane is a member of the alkane homologous series.Give the general formula for the homologous series of alkanes
Cn H2n + 2
State why high temperatures are necessary for cracking reactions to occur. Give one reason why thermal cracking reactions are carried out in industry.
To break the (C-C and/or C-H) bondsTo make products which are in greater demand / higher value / make alkenes
Write an equation for the incomplete combustion of pentane to form a solid pollutant. Suggest why this solid pollutant is an environmental problem.
C5H12 +3O2—->5C+6H2OCauses global dimming exacerbates asthma/causes breathing probsmakes visibility poor / smog