Organic Chemistry Flashcards
Addition Polymerisation
A reaction where many small molecules (monomers) join together to form very large molecules (polymers).
Alcohols
Alcohols contain the functional group -OH. The first four members of a homologous series of alcohols are methanol, ethanol, propanol, and butanol.
Alkanes
Alkanes are the most common hydrocarbon found in crude oil. Alkanes have the general formula CnH2n+2.
Alkenes
Alkenes are hydrocarbons with a double bond between two of the carbon atoms in their chain, causing them to be unsaturated. The have the general formula CnH2n.
Amino Acids
Amino acids have two different functional groups in a molecule. Thy react by condensation polymerisation to produce polypeptides.
Carboxylic Acids
Carboxylic acids have the functional group -COOH. The first four members of a homologous series of carboxylic acids are methanoic acid, ethanoic acid, propanoic acid, and butanoic acid.
Catalytic Cracking
Long-chain hydrocarbons are heated to turn them into a gas. The vapour is then passed over a hot powdered aluminium oxide catalyst. The long chain molecules split apart an the surface of the catalyst.
Combustion
Combustion of hydrocarbon fuels releases energy. During combustion, the carbon and hydrogen in the fuels are oxidised.
Complete Combustion
Water and carbon dioxide are the only products of complete combustion.
Crude Oil
A finite resource found in rocks. It is the remains of an ancient biomass consisting mainly of plankton that was buried in mud. Most compounds in crude oil are hydrocarbons.
Condensation Polymerisation
These reactions involve monomers with two functional groups. When these monomers react they join together and lose small molecules such as water.
Cracking
A process that involves breaking down large hydrocarbons to produce smaller, more useful molecules. Cracking can be done by catalytic cracking or by steam cracking.
DNA
DNA encodes genetic instructions for the development and functioning of living organisms and viruses. Most DNA molecules are two polymer chains, made from four different nucleotides, in the form of a double helix.
Esters
The product of a condensation reaction between carboxylic acid and alcohol. For example: ethanol + ethanoic acid -> ethyl ethanoate.
Fermentation
A chemical process by which molecules such as glucose are broken down anaerobically. Ethanol is produced when sugar solution are fermented using yeast.
Fractional Distilation
A method of separating a mixture of substances according to their different boiling points. Commonly used to separate crude oil into different fractions.
Homologous Series
A series of compounds with the same functional group and similar chemical properties.
Hydrocarbons
Molecules that are only made up of hydrogen and carbon atoms.
Nucleotides
The monomers which make up DNA.
Polyesters
A category of polymers which contain the ester functional group in their main chain. Formed from condensation polymerisation.
Polymers
Large long-chain molecules made up of lots of small monomers joined together by covalent bonds.
Polypeptide
A chain of amino acids.
Repeat Unit
The part of a polymer whose repetition would produce the complete polymer chain.
Steam Cracking
Long-chain hydrocarbons are heated to turn them into a gas. The hydrocarbon vapour is then mixed with steam and heated to very high temperatures which cause them to split into smaller molecules.
