Organic Chemistry Flashcards
What is the series of molecules that have a general formula
Homologous series
What element do all organic molecules contain?
Carbon
What are the alkanes and alkanes an example of
Homologous series made of only hydrogen and carbon
What group do alcohols contain
Functional group -O-H
If you replace one atom of hydrogen from each alkane molecule with an -O-H group what do you get
A homologous series of alcohols
Name the first three members of the alkanes
Methane , ethane, propane
Name the first 3 alcohols
Methanol ethanol propanol
What is the structural formula for methanol
CH3OH
What is the structural formula of ethanol
CH3CH2OH
What is the structural formula for propanol
CH3CH2CH2OH
What does a structural formula show
Which atoms are bonded to each carbon atom and the functional group
What is a functional group
An atom or group of atoms that give organic compounds heir characteristic reactions
What functional group do carboxylate acids have
-COOH
What are the three members of the carboxylate acids
Methanoic, ethanoic, propanoic
What is the structural formula of methanoic acid
HCOOH
What is the structural formula of ethanoic acid
CH3COOH
What is the structural formula of propanoic acid
CH3CH2COOH
What functional group do esters have
-COO-
When does an atom become an ester
When the hydrogen atom in the -COOH group of a carboxylate acid is replaced by a hydrocarbon group
What is the structural formula of ethyl ethanoate
CH3COOCH2CH3
What do alcohols with smaller molecules mix well with and produce what
Methanol, ethanol, propanol mix well with water to form neutral solutions
Why are alcohols used as solvents
Because many organic substances dissolve in alcohols
What is ethanol mainly used in
Wine beer and alcoholic drinks
What do alcohols produce when burnt
Co2 and water
What are alcohols used as fuels in
Spirit burners, combustion engines and they can be mixed with petrol
What does sodium and alcohol produce
Hydrogen
How does the reaction between sodium and water compare to sodium reacting with alcohol
Reactions of sodium and alcohol are less vigorous than sodium and water
What can alcohols be oxidised by?
Chemical oxidising agents such as potassium dichromate
What do alcohols oxidise to produce
Carboxylate acids
What else in the air can oxides evolutions of ethanol and what is produces from this
Microbes to produce ethanoic acid
What is special about ethanoic acid
It turns alcoholic drinks sour and is the main acid in vinegar
How could you tell an alcohol and water apart with a test
Apply a flame; ethanol burns in air
Add sodium; ethanol react more slowly with sodium
Add potassium dichromate and heat; colour change or smell of vinegar
When carboxylate acids dissolve in water, what is the ph value of the solutions
The solutions have a ph value of less than 7
Why do carbolic acids have similar properties to all acids
They produce hydrogen ions in aqueous solutions
When carboxylic acids are added to carbonates what happens and what is produced
They fizz because they react to produce co2, a salt and water
How are carboxylic acids different from other acids
They react with alcohols in the presence of an acid catalyst to produce ester
When ethanol and ethanoic acid react using sulphuric acid as a catalyst what is produced
Ethyl ethanoate and water
Why are esters used in flavourings and perfumes
They have distinct smells some being pleasant and fruity
How are esters made
By reacting a carboxylic acid with an alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst
In an aqueous solution what does hydrochloride acid ionise to form
It ionises completely to form hydrogen and chlorine ions
What are acids that ionise completely in aqueous solutions known as
Strong acids
What happens when ethanoic acid dissolves in water
It does not ionise completely and some of the ethanoic acid molecules remain as molecules in the solution
What are acids that do not ionise quickly in aqueous solutions known as
Weak acids
In aqueous solutions of …… Concentration, …… Acids have a higher ph and react more ……… Than …… Acids
Equal
Weak
Slowly
Strong
Write a balances equation to show that propanoic acid is a weak acid
CH3CH2COOH ——> CH3CH2COO- + H+
How can you tell a solution is acidic
If the ph is less than 7 or if it fizzes when added to a carbonate
What is a disadvantage of alcoholic drinks and solvents
They can be abused and lead to social problems
Why are biofuels an advantage
It offers an alternative to fossil fuels and may help with the problems of diminishing resources and climate change
What is the disadvantage of biofuels
Growing the crops for fuels takes up space for growing food
Why is it important to review our use of organic compounds
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