Capter 10 (Chemistry only) Flashcards
What is the main element in all organic compounds?
Carbon
What is a homologous series?
A family of compounds with the same functional group
What is the general formula for an alkene?
CnH2n
Note: All alkenes have -ene on the end of their name e.g. pent<strong>ene</strong>
What is the general formula for an alkane?
CnH2n+2
Note: All alkane have an
-ane on the end of their name e.g. butane
What are the products of combustion of an alkene?
Carbon dioxide and water
Where in the alkene does a reaction occur?
Across the c=c double bond
An alkene reaction with hydrogen produces what new product?
An alkane
e.g. pentene + hydrogen ————-> pentane
What conditions are needed to produce an alkane from an alkene?
A catalyst (nickel) and 600C
What is the product of the reaction of an alkene with water (steam)?
An alcohol
e.g.
ethene + steam ————-> ethanol
Note: Reaction is reversible so you can break the alcholo back into an alkene and water
What is the functional group of an alcohol?
-OH
Note: All alcohols have an -ol at the end of their name e.g. ethanol
What is the functional group of a carboxylic acid?
-COOH
Note: All carboxylic acids have -oic acid at the end of their name e.g. butanoic acid
How are esters formed?
Esters are formed when a carboxylic acid and an alcohol react together in the presence of an acid catalyst
The first part of the name comes from the alcohol the second part from the carboxylic acid
e.g. ethanol+ butanoic acid ————–> ethylbutanoate

What type of acids are carboxylic acids?
Weak organic acids
How do you test for carboxylic acids?
Carbon dioxide gas is produced when you add a metal carbonate to carboxylic acid. You will see bubbles and could test the gas using limewater.
What is the test for an alkene?
Alkenes turn bromine water colourless. Bromine water tests for C=C bond which is present in alkenes
What are esters used for?
Esters have a distinctive smell and they evaporate easily (volatile). They are used in perfumes and food flavourings etc. Many have sweet fruity smells. Esters are found in natural fruits such as strawberries
Why can alcohols be used as a fuel?
Alcohols under go combution.
How can alcohols be produced?
Fermentation of plant matter using yeast (catalyst).
e.g.
glucose ——-> ethanol + carbon dioxide
What is the product formed when an alcohol is oxidised by using a chemical oxidising agent [O} or microbes in the air?
Carboxylic acid and water
What are the products of a reaction between alcohol and sodium?
Sodium alkoxide and hydrogen. You will see bubbles of hydrogen and it will be strongly alkaline.
e.g.
sodium + ethanol ———–> sodium ethoxide + hydrogen
Can you recall how many carbons are in meth, eth etc…?
prefix:
meth 1 carbons
eth 2 carbons
prop 3 carbons
but 4 carbons
pent 5 carbons
hex 6 carbons
e.g. ethanol would be an alcohol with 2 carbons in its chain
Why can’t you produce alcohols higher than 15% using the fermentation process?
The alcohol produced is toxic and above this concentraion it will kill off the yeast (enzymes) so the reaction will stop.
Give two uses of alcohols?
- Biofuel
- Good solvent for many organic chemicals
What is oxidation?
Gain of oxygen or loss of an electron