organic chemistry Flashcards
What is a primary alcohol
the carbon the OH is bonded to is attached to one carbon (secondary - 2)(tertiary - 3)
Which alcohols are soluble
C1 - C3 (soluble due to H bond with OH), as the chain length increases more hydrophobic properties are introduced, decreasing solubility
Why do alcohols have relatively high boiling points
hydrogen bonding in the OH, so more OH groups the higher the BP
Why does a longer chain have a higher boiling point
larger molecule so has stronger forces
How is glycerol made and what are its uses
by product of soap and biodiesel manufacture. Used as moisturiser, sweetener etc…
1,2 ethandiol uses and hazards
antifreeze. Ingestion can lead to death by alcohol dehydrogenase, to treat add ethanol
Oxidation of alcohols
primary alcohol - aldehyde then carboxylic acid. Secondary alcohol - ketone. Tertiary does not oxidise.
Alcohols acting as an acid
the longer the chain, the weaker the acid. Reacts with alkali metals to release hydrogen and an anion (alkoxide)
What are alkoxides
strong bases that are used in organic synthesis when strong base required in non aqueous solution
How can alcohols act as a base
in the presence of a strong acid by accepting a proton to form an oxonium ion
What reactions do primary oxonium ions undergo
do not lose water to form primary carbocations (too unstable) so undergo elimination or can be directly attacked by nucleophiles (SN2)
What is the ether functional group
R-O-R
Ether as a polar molecule
More polar than alkanes due to the presence of oxygen but less than alcohols as there is no hydrogen attached to the oxygen
Hydrogen bonding in ether molecules
exists between water and ether but not between ether molecules
Chemical features of ethers
little reactivity so are normally used as solvents. Has a low boiling point
How to name an ether
For the shorter hydrocarbon chain, change -yl to -oxy
Hydrogen bonding in amines
exists between amines and water
What is a homologous series
successive compounds that differ by CnH2n
Where do alkanes appear in biology
animal pheromones, plant waxy cuticle and floral scents
What is an alkane
straight or branched hydrocarbons with only single covalent bonds between the carbons
What is an isomer
when 2 molecules have the same molecular formula but different 3D structure
What is a constitutional (structural) isomer
when molecular formulas are the same but arrangements of atoms differ
Why do branched alkanes have a lower boiling point
because they have a smaller surface area so don’t pack as well together, leading to fewer intermolecular interactions
What is free rotation
occurs around single bonds so alkanes are constantly moving. Creates conformation isomers
What is an eclipsed conformation isomer
When 2 of the atoms are closer together
What is a staggered conformational isomer
Atoms are the furthest away from each other
What is conformational isomerization
stereoisomerisation where isomers are formed by rotating around a single bond
Combustion of alkanes
results in CO2 and H2O
Cracking of alkanes
Breakdown of larger alkanes into smaller alkanes (smaller molecules are more useful)
dehydrogenation of alkanes
removal of H2 from an unsaturated hydrocarbon
Halogenation of alkanes
replacing a hydrogen with a halogen (free radical substitution - homolytic fission)
Which carbon is the most reactive
tertiary is the most then secondary and primary is the least reactive
Radicals being stabalized by hyperconjugation
As the radical forms the carbon center transforms from sp3 hybidized into sp2 hybridized. Delocalization of the bonding electrons from carbon next door by overlap with partly filled p orbital. Net stabilizing effect (less energy required to generate the radicals)
How many bonding pairs do primary, secondary and tertiary carbons need to stabalize
primary - 1, secondary - 2, tertiary - 3. Tertiary is the most stable (electron transducing effect)