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Chemistry iGCSE Edexcel > Organic Chemistry > Flashcards

Organic Chemistry Flashcards

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1
Q

What are organic compounds?

A

Molecules containing carbon, usually bonded to hydrogen, oxygen, or nitrogen, apart from oxides of carbon (e.g., CO₂) and carbonates.

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2
Q

What is a hydrocarbon?

A

Compounds made up of carbon and hydrogen only.

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3
Q

What type of bonds are involved in organic compounds?

A

All organic compounds involve covalent bonding between atoms.

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4
Q

What types of bonds can carbon form?

A

Single bonds (C–C, as in alkanes), double bonds (C=C, as in alkenes), and triple bonds (rare, in alkynes).

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5
Q

What is a homologous series?

A

A family of hydrocarbons with similar chemical properties who share the same general formula

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6
Q

What is the general formula for alkanes?

A

CₙH₂ₙ₊₂

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7
Q

What is the functional group for alkenes?

A

C=C (double bond)

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8
Q

What is the general formula for alcohols?

A

CₙH₂ₙ₊₁OH

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9
Q

What is the functional group for carboxylic acids?

A

–COOH

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10
Q

What are the properties of alkanes?

A

Saturated hydrocarbons that contain only single covalent bonds, are relatively unreactive, but undergo combustion and substitution reactions.

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11
Q

What is complete combustion of alkanes?

A

Alkane + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O

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12
Q

What is an example of complete combustion?

A

CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O

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13
Q

What is incomplete combustion of alkanes?

A

Alkane + O₂ → CO + H₂O

Carbon monoxide (CO) is toxic.

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14
Q

What are substitution reactions in alkanes?

A

Involves replacement of a hydrogen atom by another atom (e.g., halogen) and requires UV light.

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15
Q

What is an example of a substitution reaction?

A

CH₄ + Cl₂ → UV CH₃Cl + HCl

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16
Q

What are the properties of alkenes?

A

Contain at least one carbon-carbon double bond (C=C) and are more reactive than alkanes due to the double bond.

17
Q

What are addition reactions in alkenes?

A

Reactions where alkenes react with other substances, such as hydrogenation and hydration.

18
Q

What is crude oil?

A

A mixture of hydrocarbons separated into fractions using fractional distillation.

19
Q

What are the fractions obtained from crude oil in order of increasing boiling point?

A

Refinery gases, gasoline, kerosene, diesel, fuel oil, bitumen.

20
Q

How does fractional distillation work for longer hydrocarbons

A

Longer hydrocarbons have higher boiling points so evaporate and condense near the bottom of the column.

21
Q

Properties of long hydrocarbons

A

high boiling point, high viscocity (fluidness), dark colour and low flammability

22
Q

How does fractional distillation work for shorter hydrocarbons

A

Shorter hydrocarbons have lower boiling points so evaporate first and condense higher up the column.

23
Q

What is cracking?

A

The process of breaking down long-chain hydrocarbons into shorter, more useful ones (alkanes and alkenes).

24
Q

What conditions are required for cracking?

A

Requires heat (600–700°C) and a catalyst (silica or alumina).

25
Q

What is an example reaction of cracking?

A

C₁₀H₂₂ → C₈H₁₈ + C₂H₄

26
Q

What is polymerization?

A

The process of joining many small molecules (monomers) to form a long chain (polymer).

27
Q

What is addition polymerization?

A

A type of polymerization where monomers are alkenes.

28
Q

What is an example of addition polymerization?

A

nC₂H₄ → [−CH₂−CH₂−]ₙ

29
Q

What are common polymers?

A

Polyethene (from ethene, used in plastics) and polypropene (from propene, used in containers).

30
Q

How is bromine water used in organic chemistry?

A

Tests for C=C bond, turning orange to colorless .

31
Q

What is needed for an Alkane to react with bromine?

A

UV light (e.g sunlight)

32
Q

Why is cracking is necessary, in terms of the balance between supply and demand for different fractions

A

Less short-chain hydrocarbons are produced than needed (e.g gasoline fraction) as there is a higher demand for short-chain hydrocarbons to be used as polymers for plastic, gasoline, and petrol for cars

Chemistry iGCSE Edexcel (23 decks)

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