Organic Chemistry Flashcards
Describe what is Meant by a Hydrocarbon
-Hydrocarbons are compounds made of hydrogen and carbon only.
-They are used as plastics, including polyester, and as fuels, including petrol and diesel.
-Only a small percentage is used for chemical synthesis.
Describe how Crude Oil is Formed
-The remains of ancient biomass of plankton fall to the bottom of the sea.
-It is covered in layers of sediment.
-Over millions of years, the pressure and temperature greatly increases.
-The high pressure and temperature cause crude oil to be formed.
Describe how Coal is Formed
-The ancient biomass of trees die and decay.
-It is covered in layers of sediment.
-Over millions of years, the pressure and temperature greatly increases.
-The high pressure and temperature cause crude oil to be formed.
Describe what is Meant by an Alkane
-Alkanes are the simplest type of hydrocarbon.
-They are all saturated (each carbon forms four single covalent bonds).
-The general formula for alkanes is CnH2n+2.
Describe the First Four Alkanes
-Methane (CH4) has one carbon.
-Ethane (C2H6) has two carbons.
-Propane (C3H8) has three carbons.
-Butane (C4H10) has four carbons.
Describe the Trend in Viscosity in Hydrocarbons
As the chain length increases, it becomes more viscous (harder to pour).
Describe the Trend in Flammability in Hydrocarbons
As the chain length increases, it becomes less flammable.
Describe the Trend in Volatility in Hydrocarbons
As the chain length increases, it becomes less volatile (harder to become a gas).
Describe the Trend in Boiling Points in Hydrocarbons
As the chain length increases, the boiling point increases.
Explain why the Boiling Point of Hydrocarbons Increases as the Chain Gets Longer
-As the chain length increases, the intermolecular forces of attraction get stronger.
-Therefore, more energy is needed to overcome these forces so the boiling point increases.
Describe the Trend in Colour in Hydrocarbons
As the chain length increases, the chains become darker in colour.
Describe what is Meant by Combustion
Combustion involves burning in the presence of oxygen.
Describe the Complete Combustion of Hydrocarbons
-Complete combustion takes place when there is enough oxygen present.
-Complete combustion produces water and carbon dioxide.
Hydrocarbon + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water
Describe the Incomplete Combustion of Hydrocarbons
-Incomplete combustion takes place when there is not enough oxygen present.
-Incomplete combustion produces water and carbon monoxide or soot.
Explain why the Combustion of Hydrocarbons is an Example of a Redox Reaction
-The carbon and hydrogen atoms both gain oxygen (and lose electrons) so they are oxidised.
-The oxygen (from the air) gains electrons so is reduced.
Describe how Fractional Distillation Separates the Hydrocarbon Chains in Crude Oil
-Fractional distillation works by separating hydrocarbons with different chain lengths based on their boiling points.
-The longer the chain, the stronger the attraction between molecules.
-The fractional distillation column has a temperature gradient, it is cooler at the top and hotter at the bottom.
-The hydrocarbons are heated until they are gases.
-The vapours rise up the column until they reach the temperature of their boiling point.
-At this point, they condense into liquids and are piped off and used, mainly as fuels.
State Different Fractions by Decreasing Boiling Point
Highest Boiling Point: Bitumen
-Heavy Fuel Oil
-Diesel Oil
-Kerosene
-Petrol
Lowest Boiling Point: Liquified Petroleum Gas
State the Uses of Crude Oil
-Oil provides the fuel for most transport.
-Some of the hydrocarbons from crude oil are used as feedstock.
-This is to make new compounds for use in things like polymers, solvents, lubricants and detergents.
Explain why Short Chain Hydrocarbons are Removed From the Fractional Distillation Column as Gases Rather than Liquids
-Very short chain hydrocarbons have very low boiling points.
-The top of the fractionating column is not cool enough for these hydrocarbons to condense.
-This means that very short chain hydrocarbons are removed as gases.
Describe what is Meant by Cracking
Cracking is the process of turning long chain hydrocarbons (high supply, low demand) into shorter hydrocarbons (low supply, high demand).
Explain why Long Chain Hydrocarbons are Cracked.
-Long chain hydrocarbons are cracked because long chain hydrocarbons are less flammable than short chain hydrocarbons.
-This means that long chain hydrocarbons are not very useful as fuels.
-By cracking them, long chain hydrocarbons are converted into short chain hydrocarbons.
-These are more flammable and are therefore more useful as fuels.
Describe the Process of Cracking
-Heat the hydrocarbons to vaporise.
-Pass them over a hot catalyst (catalytic cracking).
-OR, Heat them to a high temperature with steam (thermal cracking).
-Thermal decomposition then occurs.
-Shorter alkanes and alkenes are produced. Alkenes may be used to make other molecules such as polymers.
Describe how to Test for the Presence of Alkanes and Alkenes
-To test for the presence of alkanes and alkenes, add bromine water.
-If an alkane is present, the substance will remain the colour of bromine (orange).
-If an alkene is present, the substance will turn colourless.
Explain why Bromine Turns Colourless When Added to an Alkene
-When bromine water is added to an alkane, no reaction will happen as the alkane is saturated so it will remain orange.
-When bromine water is added to an alkene, the bromine will add across the double bond, making a colourless dibromo compound- so the bromine water is decolourised.