Organic Chemistry Flashcards
What is organic chemistry?
The chemistry of molecules based on carbon
Define an aromatic compound
Compound contains a benzene ring
Define an aliphatic coumpound
Compound does not contain a benzene ring
Define an alicyclic compound
Compound contains a ring but it is not a benzene ring
What does the term homologous series mean
A series of organic compounds having the same functional group with each successive member differing by CH2
What is the general formula for an alkane with n carbon atoms
CnH2n+2
Why does the alkane boiling point increase as you go down the group?
Chain length increases molecules have more electrons therfore there are stronger London forces between molecules which takes more energy to overcome
What happens if molecules have the same number of electrons?
The more branched molecule would have less surface area of contact so the boiling point would be lower
Why are alkanes not very reactive
Bonds are hard to break
Define nucleophiles
Lone pair donor
How can halogenoalkanes be converted to alcohols
Using aqueous sodium hydroxide and beating under reflex
Define refux
Continous boiling and condensation of a reaction mixture. Mixture will evaporate but condense in the condenser and fall back down into reaction vessel
Define hydrolysis
The breaking of a bond using water or aqueous alkali
What does the rate of a nucleopholic substation reaction depend on
The strength of the carbon halogen bond. C-I bond is weakest so most readily undergoes nucleophilic substitution
What are the limitations of using free radical substitution
-Multiple substitution occurs
-substitution occurs at different points along the chain making it hard to control which product is made
What is a free radical
A species with an unpaired electron
Describe the reactivity of radicals
Highly reactive as they want an extra electron
Define homolytic fission
The breaking of a bond where each atom in the bond receives 1 electron forming 2 radicals
What is the general formula for alkyl groups
CnH2n+1
Equation of an alkane being combusted with unlimited oxygen
Alkane+oxygen–>carbon dioxide +water
Equation of an alkane being combusted with limited oxygen
Alkane+oxygen–>carbon monoxide+water
Equation of alkane being combusted with very little oxygen
Alkane+oxygen–>carbon(soot) +water
How are sigma bonds formed?
The overlap of atomic orbitals directly between the bonded atoms
What are the steps for naming alkane?
1)find the longest chain of carbon stops. End of the name will be based on chain length
2) identify any side chains. They are put as prefixes to the main chain name(alkyl groups)
3)name the carbon atoms on the main chain from the side closest to the side chain
4)write out the name with side chains as prefixes. Put a number before the prefix to dhow which carbon it is attached to
