Organic Chemistry Flashcards
How is crude oil formed?
Plankton die and fall to the sea bed
Dead matter covered by sediments
Subject to high pressure and high temperature
This process takes millions of years
What is a hydrocarbon?
Compounds that contain carbon and hydrogen atoms only
Define saturated
Compounds that only contain single covalent bonds
Define homologous series
Group of compounds with similar properties
What does meth mean about the carbon chain length?
1 carbon
What does eth mean about the carbon chain length?
2 carbons
What does prop mean about the carbon chain length?
3 carbons
What does but mean about the carbon chain length?
4 carbons
What are the properties of alkanes?
Hydrocarbon
Saturated
End in ane
What is the general formula for alkanes
C n H 2n+2
How is crude oil separated?
- Separated by a process called fractional distillation
- Takes place in a fractionating column
- There is a temperature gradient in the column where it is hotter at the bottom
- Crude oil is vaporised and enters the column at the bottom
- Small carbon chain lengths with lower boiling points condense off at the top
- Large carbon chain lengths with higher boiling points condense at the bottom
- The larger the carbon chain length the stronger the imf the more energy required to break the bonds the higher the boiling point
What are properties of alkenes?
Hydrocarbons
Unsaturated (double bonds)
One double bond between two carbon atoms
What are the rules for cracking?
Must have the same number of carbons
Must have one alkene and one alkane
Must name the compounds you make
What are the conditions for cracking?
Passed over a hot catalyst
Mixed with steam and heated to a very high temperature
How to differentiate between alkane and alkenes?
Test with bromine water
Alkene- bromine water changes from orange to colourless
Alkane- bromine water remains orange
