Organic Chemistry Flashcards
What two structures can carbon form?
- giant macromolecular structures
- simple molecular structures
What are the natural polymers?
- DNA/RNA
- proteins
- lipids
- carbohydrates
What is crude oil?
A mixture of hydrocarbons
What is a homologous series?
A family of organic compounds with:
- similar chemical properties
- the same general formula
- the same functional group
Give the names of the two homologous series for GCSE:
alkanes
alkenes
What is the life form which forms crude oil?
Aquatic life (ancient biomass)
What is a hydrocarbon?
A compound containing only carbon and hydrogen
What is the functional group for Alkanes?
Single bonded carbons
Saturated
What is the general formula for Alkanes?
C n H 2 n+2
What are the first four members of the alkane group?
methane, ethane, propane, butane
What is the functional group for alkenes?
Double carbon bond
Unsaturated
What is the general formula for alkenes?
C n H 2n
What are the first four members of the alkene group?
Ethene, propene, butene, pentene
What are fractions?
The different groups of hydrocarbons separated during fractional distillation
What are the different fractions?
natural gases (methane, ethane, propane, butane)
liquids (petrol, diesel, kerosene, fuel oil)
solid (wax, butamen)
What is kerosene used in?
aeroplane fuel
What is the structure of a hydrocarbon?
Simple molecular structures
What is the bonding in a hydrocarbon?
Covalent bonds between atoms but weak intermolecular forces between molecules
What is the relationship between the size of the hydrocarbon chain and the boiling point? Why?
As the length of the hydrocarbon chain increases. so does the boiling point. This is since the IMFs increases as there are more electrons.
What is the relationship between the size of the hydrocarbon chain and the flammability?
As the length of the hydrocarbon chain increases, the flammabiity decreases.
What is flammability?
The ability to burst into flames
What is the relationship between the size of the hydrocarbon chain and the viscosity?
As the length of the hydrocarbon chain increases, the greater the viscosity.
What must be done to crude oil for it to be of any use?
Processed or refined in an oil refinery
Describe how fractional distillation works:
1) Crude oil is boiled to 450 degrees and pumped into the bottom of a fractionating column, where it vaporises
2) The column is very hot at the bottom but much cooler at the top (temperature gradient). As the vaporised oil rises, it cools and condenses.
3) Heavy fractions (containing large molecules) have a high boiling point and condense near the bottom of the column
4) Lighter fractions have a lower boiling point and condense further up the column