Hydrocarbons Flashcards
What is a hydrocarbon?
A compound that is formed from hydrogen and carbon atoms only
What bond do alkanes have?
Alkanes have a single C-C bond
What is the formula for alkanes?
Cn H2n+2
What are alkanes?
Alkanes are a homologous series
What is a homologous series?
A group of organic compounds that react in a similar way
Are alkanes saturated or unsaturated
Alkanes are saturated compounds
What are the first four alkanes?
Methane, Ethane, Propane, and Butane
How do the properties of a hydrocarbon change as the chain gets longer?
The shorter a hydrocarbon is:
- The less viscous (the more runny)
- The more volatile (lower boiling points)
- The more flammable
What is meant by complete combustion?
Complete combustion occurs when there is plenty of oxygen
What type of bond do alkenes have?
Alkenes have a C=C double bond
Are alkenes saturated or unsaturated?
Alkenes have two fewer hydrogens compared with alkanes with the same number of carbon atoms. This makes them unsaturated.
What are the first four alkenes?
Ethene, Propene, Butene, and Pentene
What is the formula for an alkene?
Cn H2n
What is incomplete combustion?
Occurs when there is not enough oxygen in the air
Why do alkenes burn with a smoky flame?
When alkenes burn they tend to undergo incomplete combustion which can produce carbon and carbon monoxide which is a poisonous gas.
What is a functional group?
A group of atoms in a molecule that determine how that molecule typically reacts
How do alkenes typically react?
They react via addition reactions
How does an addition reaction work?
The carbon-carbon double bond will open up to leave a single bond and a new atom is added to each carbon
What is the addition of hydrogen known as?
The addition of hydrogen is known as hydrogenation
How can alcohols be made using alkenes?
Steam can react with alkenes to form alcohols
