Organic Chemistry Flashcards
What is a hydrocarbon?
It is a compound of hydrogen and carbon ONLY
What does the term “homologous series” mean?
A homologous series is a group of compounds that can all be represented by the same general formula
What is a functional group?
A functional group is a group of atoms that determine how a compound typically reacts
Name four functional groups:
Alcohols, alkanes, alkenes, esters
Why are alkenes classified as “unsaturated”
Because they have a double carbon bond “C=C”
Why are alkanes classified as “saturated”
Because they don’t have a double bond
What is crude oil?
Crude oil is a mixture of hydrocarbons
How is crude oil separated into different more useful fractions?
Via fractional distillation
How does fractional distillation work?
The oil is heated until it turns into gas & it enters a fractionating column. The column has a temperature gradient, hot at the bottom cooler at the top. When the substances that make up crude oil reach the temperature that is lower than their boiling point they condense and exit the fractionating column. Long chain hydrocarbons have higher boiling points so they condense further down the column whereas shorter hydrocarbons have lower boiling points and condense nearer the top.
What are the names of the fractions the oil is separated into?
Bitumen, fuel oil, diesel, kerosene, gasoline and refinery gases
Bitumen:
Bitumen is a long chained hydrocarbon that condenses at the bottom of the fractionating column. It is used to surface roads and roofs
Fuel oil:
Fuel oil condenses after bitumen. It is a long chain hydrocarbon and is used as fuel for large ships and also in some power stations.
What is the general formula for carboxylic acids?
CnH2n+1COOH
How are carboxylic acids made?
Oxidising an alcohol with an oxidising agent
What kind of scent do esters have?
Sweet or fruity
Are esters volatile?
Yes they evaporate easily
What are some uses of esters?
In food flavourings or perfume
How are esters made?
By reacting a carboxylic acid and an alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst
Ethanoic acid + ethanol —>
Ethyl ethanoate
What small molecules combine to form a polymer?
Monomers
How do you name a polymer?
Take the alkene name (ethene) and put brackets around it and put poly in front - poly(ethene)
How do alkenes join together?
By addition polymerisation
Why cant alkanes be used as monomers in addition polymerisation?
Because they don’t have double bonds which are required
What is condensation polymerisation?
When a dicarboxylic acid reacts with a diol and forms a polyester and water
