Organic Chemistry 1 Flashcards
Define “Hydrocarbon”
A compound of carbon and hydrogen only.
Define “Homologous Series”
Series of organic compounds with the same functional group and general formula. Each successive members physical and chemical properties follow a trend.
Define “Functional Group”
A group of atoms responsible for the characteristic reactions of a particular compound.
Define Isomerism
Same molecular formula but different arrangement of their atoms.
Define Structural Isomerism and describe the 3 different types
Structural Isomerism - Atoms are bonded in a different order
* Chain Isomerism - different arrangement of molecules in the carbon skeleton
* Position Isomerism - Differing position of the same functional group in a molecule
* Functional Isomerism - Different positions of atoms give a different functional group
Explain why boiling points increase as alkanes get bigger
Carbon Chain increases as molecule gets bigger
More electrons present which can induce each other
Greater London forces
Explain the affect of branching on alkanes
Branching decreases surface area between the molecules
Decreasing the London forces as molecules cant get anymore compact(close)
Decreases the boiling point
State the General Formula for Alkanes
CnH2n+2
What are the byproducts for the complete combustion of an Alkane or Alkene?
Carbon dioxide and water.
What are the byproducts for the incomplete combustion of an Alkane or Alkene?
Carbon monoxide and water.
Describe how CO2 is formed and its problems/solutions
*Complete Combustion
*Problem - its a greenhouse gas causing global warming leading to climate change
*Solution - burn less fossil fuels
Describe how CO is formed and its problems/solutions
*Incomplete Combustion
*Problem - toxic gas(binds to red blood cells) causing strain on the heart
*Solution - ensure good supply of air/;oxygen when burning
Describe how Carbon particles are formed and its problems/solutions
*Incomplete Combustion
*Problem - blackens buildings and global dimming
*Solution - particulate filter in engines which catches particles then are burnt
Describe how SO2 is formed and its problems/solutions
*Crude Oil and combustion of sulphur
*Problem - acid rain
*Solution - remove Sulphur from fuel before it is burnt or remove SO2 from fumes after it is burnt(flue gas desulfurization)
Describe how Nitrogen oxides are formed and its problems/solutions
*Reaction with Nitrogen in the air at very high temperatures(often in engines or furnaces)
*Problem - acid rain
*Solution - Catalytic Converter
Describe how Nitrogen oxides are formed and its problems/solutions
*Not all fuel burns
*Problem - Waste fuel and harmful greenhouse gases
*Solution - ensure correct air mixture when fuel is burned
Explain why Alkanes are relatively unreactive
*Saturated hydrocarbons
*Non-polar
State the two types of reactions with a Alkane
*Combustion
- (Overall) Alkane +Oxygen ¬¬> Carbon Dioxide + Water
*Radical Substitution
* * - Alkane + Halogen –> Halogenoalkane + (Overall)Hydrogen Halide
Define Radical
Radicals are particles that have unpaired electrons meaning they are very reactive(represented by a dot).
Formed during Homolytic fission when the bond breaks evenly producing two uncharged radicals.
State two conditions needed for an Alkane to react
Ultraviolet light or high temperatures due to lots of energy needed to break the bond
State the three stages of Radical Substitution reaction
- Initiation
- Propagation
- Termination
Describe ways Alkane fuels are obtained in crude oil
Fractional Distillation(different length hydrocarbons are produced in different fractions once heated)
Cracking (turning long chain hydrocarbons into shorter ones)
Reforming Crude Oil (turning straight line alkanes into branched or cylicalkanes for efficient combustion)
Describes the limits of Radical Substitution Reactions
Radicals are very reactive and can react with any of the carbons on the carbon chain.
A mixture of products can form if theres too much of one radical causing a chain reaction.
Alkanes and Alkenes are what type of hydrocarbons
Alkanes - Saturated
Alkenes- Unsaturated
State the General Formula for Alkenes
CnH2n
Describe bonding in alkenes in terms of pi and sigma bonding
The Double bond is made up of one sigma bond and one pi bond
Sigma side-to-side bonding and 2 pi bonds over the top in Ethene