Organic chemistry Flashcards
What is a hydrocarbon?
A hydrocarbon is any compound that is formed from carbon and hydrogen atoms only.
Describe an alkane:
- all have C-C bonds
- part of the homologous series
- saturated compounds, each carbon has made 4 bonds
what is the mnemonic to remember the first four alkanes?
Monkeys - Methane
Eat - Ethane
Pealed - Propane
Bananas - Butane
How do hydrocarbon properties change as the chain gets longer?
- it becomes more viscous (thicker)
- it becomes less volatile (higher boiling point)
- it becomes less flammable (harder to ignite)
What is the word equation for complete combustion (oxygen is in excess)
hydrocarbon + oxygen –> carbon dioxide + water
What is crude oil?
Crude oil is a fossil fuel. It is a finite resources so it will run out.
What is fractional distillation?
1) The oil is heated until most of it has turned into gas. The gases enter a fractionating column (and the liquid is drained off)
2) In the column there is a temperature gradient (it is hot at the bottom and gets cooler as you move up)
3) The longer hydrocarbons have high boiling points. They condense back into liquids and drain of the column early on, near the bottom. The shorter hydrocarbons have lower boiling points so they condense and drain further up the column.
4) You end up with the oil separated into different fractions. Each fraction contains a mixture of hydrocarbons that all contain a similar number of carbon atoms (so similar boiling points)
What is crude oil used for in modern life?
- fuel for most modern transport
- feedstock to make new compounds
What is cracking?
Cracking is splitting up long-chain hydrocarbons, it is a thermal decomposition reaction:
1) heat long-chain hydrocarbons to vaporise them
2) then the vapour is passed over a hot powdered catalyst - aluminium oxide
3) the long-chain molecules split apart on the surface of the catalyst - catalytic cracking
4) you can also crack hydrocarbons if you vaporise them, mix with steam and heat them to a high temperature - steam cracking
What are alkenes?
- alkenes are hydrocarbons with a double bond between two carbon atoms in the chain
- ## the C=C bond means they have two fewer hydrogens compared to alkanes - they are unsaturated
what are the first four alkenes?
Ethene, propene, butene, pentene
What is the general formula for alkenes?
CnH2n
What is the general formula for alkanes?
CnH2n+2
What is the word equation for incomplete combustion?
alkene + oxygen –> carbon + carbon monoxide + water
How do alkenes react?
Alkenes react via addition reactions - the double bond means that it can be split, making it possible to add a new atom