Alkanes Flashcards
What is a homologous series?
A series of organic compounds having the same functional group but with each successive group but with each successive member differing by CH2
What is a functional group?
A group of atoms responsible for the characteristic reactions of a compound
What does aliphatic mean?
A compound containing carbon and hydrogen joined together in straight chains, branched chains or non-aromatic rings.
What does alicylic mean?
An aliphatic compound arranged in non-aromatic rings with or without side chains
What does aromatic mean?
Containing a benzene ring
What do saturated and unsaturated mean?
Saturated = Containing only single C-C bonds Unsaturated = Containing multiple carbon-carbon bonds, i.e C=C or triple bonded carbon.
What is the general formula for alkanes?
Cn H 2n+2
What are structural isomers?
Compounds with the same molecular formula but a different structural formula.
What is the standard alkane bond angle?
109.5 degrees
What do all alkanes produce when they burn?
Carbon dioxide and water
What is a radical?
A species with an unpaired electron
What are the three stages of radical substitution and what reactions can happen in each of them?
Let X be the halogen
1. Initiation
uv
X2 ——> X radical + X radical
- Propagation
X radical + Alkane —> (Alkane - H) radical + HX
or
(Alkane - H) radical + X2 —> (Alkane - H + X) + X radical - Termination
Any two radicals reacting together
What is heterolytic fission?
When a bond breaks and each side of the bond takes one electron.
