Intro to organic chemistry and alkanes Flashcards
What is the general formula of alkanes?
CnH2n+2
What is the general formula of alkenes?
CnH2n
What is the general formula of cycloalkane?
CnH2n
What does the term empirical formula mean?
Simplest whole number ratio of the number of atoms of each element in a substance
State two features of a homologous series (3)
Members of a homologous series have very similar chemical properties
They have the same functional group
Members will show a change in physical properties like increasing boiling point as the carbon chain gets longer
What are structural isomers?
Molecules with the same molecular formula but different structural formula
What are the three types of structural isomerism?
Positional, chain, functional isomerism
What is stereoisomerism?
Molecules with the same structural formula but a different arrangement of atoms in space
For a molecule to have E/Z isomerism, what must a molecule have?
A double bond which restricts rotation
Each carbon in the double bond must have two different groups attached
What are hydrocarbons?
Compounds that only contain carbon and hydrogen
When does the boiling point increase in alkanes? (3)
Boiling point increases as the carbon chain length increases
There are more electrons
So stronger Van der Waals between molecules
When branching increases but number of electrons stay the same, why does the boiling point decrease? (2)
Because less surface area so weaker Van der Waals between molecules
Name a process for separating an alkane from a mixture of compounds
Fractional Distillation
Outline process of fractional distillation of crude oil (5)
Crude oil is passed into a fractionating column
The column is very hot near the base but much cooler near the top
The mixture starts to boil and rise and condenses at the tray with its boiling point
The larger hydrocarbons, with higher boiling points, will condense first near the base of the column
The smaller hydrocarbons, with lower boiling points, will condense last near the top of the column
How does fractional distillation work? (2)
By breaking the intermolecular forces between molecules, the molecules themselves are unaffected by this process
What are fractions? (1)
Mixture of hydrocarbons with similar boiling points
Outline the essential features of the fractional distillation of crude oil that enable the crude oil to be separated into fractions (4)
All the hydrocarbons have different boiling points
Boiling point depends on the length of compound
It is hotter near the bottom of the column
Heavier molecules condense at the bottom
Explain why oil companies need to crack ‘heavy fractions’ (1)
High demand for shorter chain alkanes and alkenes
What are the products of thermal cracking? (2)
Two alkenes (higher percentage of alkenes) and one alkane
What are the conditions needed for thermal cracking? (2)
High temperature: 700 - 1200K
High pressure: 7000kPa
What are the products of catalytic cracking? (3)
High percentage of branched alkanes and cycloalkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons
What type of cracking is more efficient and cheaper?
Catalytic Cracking
What are the conditions needed for catalytic cracking? (3)
High temperature: 720K
Slight Pressure: 100kPa
Catalyst: zeolite