Alkanes Flashcards
1
Q
Alkanes
A
- Saturated hydrocarbons → only single bonds
- Open-chain alkanes (acyclic/non-cyclic)
- Cycloalkanes (alicyclic/ring)
2
Q
Open-chain alkanes
A
- CnH2n+2
- Each C atom sp³ hybridised → tetrahedral → 109.5°
3
Q
Cycloalkanes
A
- CnH2n
- Functional group isomerism with alkenes
4
Q
Classification of C atoms
A
- Primary (1°), secondary (2°), tertiary (3°), quaternary (4°)
- Depends on no. of C atoms bonded to it
5
Q
Classification of H atoms
A
- Primary (1°), secondary (2°), tertiary (3°)
- Depends on type of C atom bonded to it
- 0° → methane
- 4° → C cannot expand octet → cannot exist
6
Q
Isomerism (2)
A
- Constitutional/structural isomerism
2. Stereoisomerism
7
Q
Constitutional isomerism
A
- Same molecular formula, diff structural formula
- Branching of hydrocarbon chains
- Chain isomers/position isomers
8
Q
Stereoisomerism (2)
A
- Enantiomerism
2. Cis-trans isomerism
9
Q
Enantiomerism
A
- Chiral carbon centre
- No plane of symmetry
- Non-superimposable mirror images of each other
10
Q
Cis-trans isomerism
A
- Some cycloalkanes
- Ring structure restricts free rotation of bonds
- 2 diff on at least 2 C atoms
11
Q
Physical properties
A
- ΔEN between C & H negligible → non-polar
- Id-id interactions
12
Q
Boiling and melting points
A
- Increase with increasing no. of C atoms
- No. e⁻ per molecule ↑ → size of e⁻ cloud ↑ → ease of polarisation of e⁻ cloud ↑ → strength of id-id ↑ → overcome at increasingly high T
- Decrease with increasing degree of branching
- Surface area available for intermolecular interactions ↓
- Weaker id-id → overcome at lower T
13
Q
Solubility
A
- Soluble in non-polar solvents
- Insoluble in water and highly polar solvents
14
Q
Density
A
- Increases with increasing molecular size
- Level off about 0.8 gcm⁻³
- Less dense than water
- Separatory funnel
15
Q
Preparation of alkanes
A
- Reduction of alkenes
2. Reduction of other unsaturated hydrocarbons
16
Q
Reduction of alkenes
A
- Addition reaction, catalytic hydrogenation
- Reagent and conditions: H₂(g), Ni, heat OR H₂(g), Pt/Pd
- Finely divided platinum, palladium or nickel
- Nickel least active → requires elevated T
17
Q
Reduction of other unsaturated hydrocarbons
A
- Alkynes: Pd + heat
- Benzene: Raney Nickel (Ni+Al) + 150°