Module 4: Core organic chemistry Flashcards
what is general formula?
an algerbraic formula that can describe any member of a family of compounds
what is empirical formula?
the simplest whole ratio number of atoms of each elements in a compound
what is molecular formula?
the actual number of atoms of each element in a molecule
what is structural formula?
shows the arrangement of atoms carbon by carbon
what is skeletal formula?
shows the bonds of the carbon skeleton only, with any functional groups
what is the displayed formula?
shows how all the atoms are arranged, and all the bonds between them
Give the prefix or suffix and a example of the group alkanes?
- ane
- propane
Give the prefix or suffix and a example of the group branched alkanes?
- alkyl (-yl)
- methylpropane
Give the prefix or suffix and a example of the group alkenes?
- ene
- propene
Give the prefix or suffix and a example of the group haloalkanes?
- chloro
- bromo
- iodo
- chloroethene
Give the prefix or suffix and a example of the group alcohols?
- ol
- ethanol
Give the prefix or suffix and a example of the group aldehydes?
- al
- ethanal
Give the prefix or suffix and a example of the group ketones?
- one
- propanone
Give the prefix or suffix and a example of the group cycloalkanes?
- cyclo..ane
- cyclohexane
Give the prefix or suffix and a example of the group carboxylic acids?
- oic.. acid
- ethanoic acid
Give the prefix or suffix and a example of the group esters?
- alkyl… annotate
- methyl propanoate
what are alkanes?
they have the general formula CnH2n+2
- they are saturated and all the carbon-carbon bonds are single
what is a alkane molecule like?
- Each carbon has four pairs of bonding electrons around it. they all equally repel each other, so the molecule forms a tetrahedral shape around each carbon, the angle is 109.5 degrees
describe the structure of an alkane?
- they have covalent bonds inside the molecules, between the molecules there are induced dipole-dipole interactions (AKA London forces) which hold them all together
what does it mean the longer the alkane chain?
the stronger the induced dipole-dipole interactions. this is because there is more surface contact and more electrons to interact.
- as they get longer, it takes more energy to overcome the induced dipole-dipole interactions, and the boiling point rises
what does a branched chain have?
it has a lower boiling point than its straight chain isomer.
- they cant pack closely together and they have smaller molecular surface areas so the induced dipole-dipole interactions are reduced
what happens when you oxidise alkanes?
you can get carbon dioxide and water which is a combustion reaction, longer alkanes release heaps more energy per mole as they have more bonds to react which is why they make good fuels
what do combustion reactions happen between?
they occur between gases, so liquid alkanes have to be vaporised first. smaller alkanes turn into gases more easily as they’re more volatile and so they burn easier too
when are two molecules isomers of one another?
if they have the same molecular formula but the atoms are arranged differently
what are chain isomers?
the carbon skeleton can be arranged differently eg as a straight chain or branched in different ways
what are positional isomers?
the skeleton and functional group could be the same, only with the functional group attached to a different carbon atom. they also have different physical properties and the chemical properties might differ too
what are functional group isomers?
where the same atoms can be arranged into different functional groups. they have very different physical and chemical properties
what is bond fission?
where a covalent bond is broken, there are two types. homolytic fission and heterolytic fission
what is heterolyctic fission?
where the bond breaks unevenly with one of the bonded atoms receiving both electrons from the bonded pair. two different substances are formed from this, a positively charged cation (X+) and a negatively charged anion (Y-).
- X .-. Y -> X+ + Y-
what is homolytic fission?
where the bond breaks evenly and each bonding atom receives one electron from the bonded pair. two electrically uncharged radicals are formed. Radicals are particles that have an unpaired electron. they’re shown in mechanisms by a big dot next to the MF, the dot represents the unpaired electron. because of the unpaired electron, radicals are v reactive
- X .-. Y -> X. + Y.
how do alkanes react with halogens?
in photochemical reactions, they are started light - this reaction require UV light
- a hydrogen is substituted by chlorine or bromine. its called Free radical substitution reaction
what are two problems with free radical substitution reactions?
- if you’re trying to make a particular product is that you don’t only get the product you want you get a mixture
- free radical substitution can take place at any point along the carbon chain, so a mixture of isomers can be formed
what happens in the reaction of making chloromethane?
if there is too much chlorine in the reaction, some of the hydrogen atoms on the chloromethane molecule will be swapped for Cl atoms. instead the propogation reaction make dichloromethane
- Cl. + CH3Cl -> .CH2Cl + HCl
- .CH2Cl + Cl2 -> CH2Cl2 + Cl.
what’s the best way of reducing the chance of by-products?
to have an excess of methane which means there’s greater chance of a chlorine radical colliding only with a methane molecule and not a chloromethane molecule
what are CFCs?
chlorofluorocarbons are well known halogens, where the hydrogens are replaced with halogens. they contain chlorine, fluorine and carbon only.
- they are stable, volatile, non-flammable and non toxic
what and how is ozone (03) formed?
- ozone is found in the upper atmosphere and acts as a chemical sunscreen, it absorbs a lot of the UV radiation which can cause sunburn and skin cancer
- its formed naturally when an oxygen molecule is broken down into two free radicals by UV radiation, the free radicals attack other oxygen radicals forming ozone
- O2 (UV0 –> O + O –> O2 + O –> O3
when did scientists discover ozone?
- in the 1970s and 80s, they discovered the ozone layer above Antarctica and the artic was getting thinner. these ‘holes’ in the ozone layer are bad as they allow more harmful UV radiation to reach earth
how are ‘holes’ formed?
- they are formed as CFCs in the upper atmosphere absorb UV radiation and split to form chlorine free radicals. these free radicals catalyse the destruction of the ozone as they destroy ozone molecules and are then regenerated to destroy more ozone molecules.
what happens in the first part of the reaction of CF2Cl2?
- CF2Cl2 (g) uv –> .CF2Cl (g) + Cl. (g)
- chlorine free radicals, Cl. are formed when the C-Cl bonds in CFCs are broken down by the UV radiation
what happens in the second part of the reaction of CF2Cl2?
- these free radicals are catalysts, they react with ozone to form an intermediate (ClO.) and an oxygen molecule
- Cl. (g) + O3 (g) -> O2 (g) + ClO. (g)
- ClO. (g) + O* (g) -> O3 (g) + Cl. (g)^
- the o radical comes from the breakdown of oxygen by UV radiation
^ the cl radical is regenerated & attacks another ozone molecule
what is the overall equation of the reaction of CF2Cl2?
O3 (g) + O (g) –> 2O2 (g) and Cl. is the catalyst
what are NO. free radicals?
they are from nitrogen oxides which are produced by car aircraft engines, NO. free radicals affect the ozone layer same as Cl. radicals
how can a reaction of Cl. or NO. be represented?
using R, where in both cases the free radicals act as catalysts for the destruction of the ozone
- R + O3 –> RO + O2
- RO + O –> R + O2
overall equation is O3 + O -> 2O2
what did scientists discover in the 1970s?
- that CFCs were causing damage to the ozone layer although there were advantages to their use they couldn’t outweigh the environmental problems, so they were banned