Organic Chemistry Flashcards
Crude oil
Fossil fuel made of hydrocarbons
Hydrocarbon
A compound or molecule that consists of hydrogen and carbon only
Fossil fuels
Formed over millions of years from dead plants and animals. E.g crude oil, peat, natural gas
Renewable resources
Continuously supplied by nature as they are used by consumers. E.g wind, solar, waves
Non-renewable resources
A fuel that is finite and once they’re used up they cannot be replaced
Fractional distillation
A continual process of evaporation and condensation. When the hydrocarbons enter the column they are vaporised. As they rise up through the column different compounds condense at their different boiling points. As we go down the column, molecules increase in length.
Petro-chemical industry
The first stage of the petrochemical industry involves extracting crude oil from its source.
It is then transported to refineries and fractional distillation separates it into different hydrocarbons.
The hydrocarbons obtained by fractional distillation are used, not only as fuels, but can also be used in the manufacture of dyes, plastics, fertilisers, medicines, paints and lubricants.
Cracking
Breakdown of larger/longer (less useful) saturated hydrocarbon molecules (alkanes) into smaller/shorter more useful ones, some of which are unsaturated (alkenes).
Homologous series
Same general formula.
Similar chemical properties.
Gradual change in physical properties.
Differ by CH2, as we go down the group.
Alkane
CnH2n+2
Methane molecular formula
CH4
Ethane molecular formula
C2H6
Propane molecular formula
C3H8
Butane molecular formula
C4H10
Methane structural formula
H
|
H — C — H
|
H
