Organic Chemistry

Question 1

Describe organic molecules as molecules containing carbon atoms
with the exception of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, diamond,
graphite, carbonates (or bicarbonates), carbides and cyanides

Question 2

hydrocarbon

Question 3

saturated compound

Question 4

unsaturated compound

Question 5

functional group

Question 6

homologous series

Question 7

alkanes + general formula + structural, condensed structural and molecular formulae

Question 8

alkenes + general formula + structural, condensed structural and molecular formulae

Question 9

alkynes + structural, condensed structural and molecular formulae

Question 10

haloalkanes + structural, condensed structural and molecular formulae

Question 11

alcohols + structural, condensed structural and molecular formulae

Question 12

carboxylic acids + structural, condensed structural and molecular formulae

Question 13

esters + structural, condensed structural and molecular formulae

Question 14

structural isomers

Question 15

chain isomers

Question 16

positional isomers

Question 17

functional isomers

Question 18

Recognise and explain the relationship between melting point/
boiling point and the strength of the intermolecular forces

Question 19

Know that many organic compounds are flammable and suggest a
suitable method of heating organic liquids

Question 20

combustion (oxidation)

Answer 20

• State that combustion reactions are exothermic and hence
  explain the importance of fossil fuels in terms of their ability
  to transfer chemical potential energy into heat energy
• Write balanced chemical equations to represent the
  complete combustion of alkanes, alkenes and alcohols with
  excess oxygen to produce water and carbon dioxide

Question 21

substitution

Answer 21

When given the appropriate reaction conditions, write
balanced equations to show the formation of substitution
products in the following SPECIFIC types of substitution
reactions:
− Halogenation (free-radical halogenation): alkanes to
haloalkanes
o e.g. CH4 + Cℓ2 → CH3Cℓ + HCℓ
(Reaction condition: in the presence of
ultraviolet light or heat)
- Hydrolysis: haloalkanes to alcohols
o e.g. CH3Cℓ + NaOH(aq) → CH3OH + NaCℓ
(Reaction conditions: heat under reflux in a dilute
alkali solution)

Question 22

addition

Answer 22

When given the appropriate reaction conditions write
balanced equations to show the formation of addition
products in the following SPECIFIC types of addition
reactions:
- Hydrogenation: addition of H2 to any alkene
o e.g. CH2=CH2 + H2 → CH3–CH3
(Reaction condition: alkene dissolved in an organic
solvent with a Pt, Pd or Ni catalyst in a H2
atmosphere)
- Halogenation: addition of X2 (X = Cℓ, Br)
o e.g. CH2=CH2 + Cℓ2 → CH2Cℓ–CH2Cℓ
Note: Rapid decolourisation of bromine water by an
alkene at room temperature is used to distinguish an
alkene from an alkane (test for unsaturation)
- Hydrohalogenation: addition of HX to any alkene
o e.g. CH2=CH2 + HCℓ → CH3–CH2Cℓ
(Reaction condition: no water may be present)
- Hydration: addition of H2O to any alkene
o e.g. CH2=CH2 + H2O → CH3–CH2OH
(Reaction condition: steam and a suitable catalyst,
e.g. H3PO4)

Question 23

elimination

Answer 23

When given the appropriate reaction conditions write
balanced equations to show the formation of elimination
products in the following SPECIFIC types of elimination
reactions:
- Dehydrohalogenation: elimination of HX from any
haloalkane
o e.g. CH3–CH2Cℓ → CH2=CH2 + HCℓ
(Reaction condition: hot concentrated solution of
NaOH or KOH in an ethanol solvent i.e. in the
absence of water)
- Dehydration: elimination of H2O from any alcohol
o e.g. CH3–CH2OH → CH2=CH2 + H2O
(Reaction condition: acid catalysed dehydration –
heating of alcohol with an excess of concentrated
H2SO4 or H3PO4)
- Cracking of hydrocarbons: breaking up (cracking) of
large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller and more
useful molecules, specifically a smaller hydrocarbon and
one or more small alkenes
(Reaction conditions: thermal cracking – high pressures
and temperatures without a catalyst; catalytic cracking –
lower temperatures and pressures in the presence of a
catalyst)

Question 24

condensation (esterification)

Answer 24

• State or identify the appropriate reaction conditions and
  write balanced equations to show the formation of esters
• State that an acid catalysed condensation reaction between
  an alcohol and a carboxylic acid produces an ester and
  water
• Identify the alcohol and carboxylic acid used to prepare any
  given ester
• Given any alcohol and carboxylic acid, identify the ester
  produced
• Write an equation to represent the preparation of an ester