Key Definitions Flashcards
Alkanes
The homologous series with the general formula: CnH2n+2.
Activation Energy
The minimum energy required to start a reaction by the breaking of bonds.
Alkyl Group
An alkane with a hydrogen atom removed, e.g. CH3, C2H5; alkyl groups are often shown as ‘R’.
Addition Polymer
A very long molecular chain formed by repeated addition reactions of many unsaturated alkene molecules (monomers).
Atom Economy
Mr of useful product x 100/ Mr of all products
Addition Polymerisation
The process in which unsaturated alkene molecules (monomers) add on to a growing polymer chain one at a time to form a very long saturated molecular chain (the addition polymer).
Average Bond Enthalpy
The average enthalpy change that takes place when breaking by homolytic fission 1 mol of a given type of bond in the molecules of a gaseous species.
Addition Reaction
A reaction in which a reactant is added to an unsaturated molecule to make a saturated molecule.
Biodegradeable
A substance that is broken down naturally in the environment by living organisms.
Adsorption
The process that occurs when a gas, liquid or solute is held to the surface of a solid or, more rarely, a liquid.
Alicyclic hydrocarbon
A hydrocarbon with carbon atoms joined together in a ring structure.
Boltzmann distribution
The distribution of energies of molecules at a particular temperature, usually shown as a
Aliphatic hydrocarbon
A hydrocarbon with carbon atoms joined together in straight or branched chains.
Bond enthalpy
The enthalpy change that takes place when breaking by homolytic fission 1 mol of a given bond in the molecules of a gaseous species.
Carbocation
An organic ion in which a carbon atom has a positive charge.
E/Z Isomerism
A type of stereoisomerism in which different groups attached to each carbon of a C=C double bond may be arranged differently in space because of the restricted rotation of the C=C bond.
Catalyst
A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being used ip in the process.
Electrophile
An atom (or group of atoms) that is attracted to an electron-rich centre or atom, where it accepts a pair of electrons to form a new covalent bond.
Cis-trans isomerism
A special type of E/Z isomerism in which there is a non-hydrogen group and a hydrogen atom on each C of a C=C double bond: the cis isomer (Z isomer) has the H atoms on each carbon on the same side; the trans isomer (E isomer) has the H atoms on each carbon on different sides of the bond.
Electrophillic addition
A type of addition reaction in which an electrophile is attracted to an electron-rich centre or atom, where it accepts a pair of electrons to form a new covalent bond.
Cracking
The breaking down of long-chained saturated hydrocarbons to form a mixture of shorter-chained alkanes and alkenes.
Elimination reaction
The removal of a molecule from a saturated molecule to make an unsaturated molecule.
Dehydration
An elimination reaction in which water is removed from a saturated molecule to make an unsaturated molecule.
Empirical formula
The simplest whole-number ratio of atoms of each element present in a compound.
Displayed formula
A formula showing the relative positioning of all the atoms in a molecule and the bonds between them.
Endothermic reaction
A reaction in which the enthalpy of the products is greater than the enthalpy of the reactants, resulting in heat being taken in from the surroundings (∆H +ve).
Dynamic equilibrium
The equilibrium that exists in a closed system when the rate of the forward reaction is equal to the rate of the reverse reaction.
Enthalpy, H
The heat content that is stored in a chemical system.