Organic Chemistry Flashcards
What is a homologous series?
group of compounds that can all be represented by the same general formula
What do molecules in a homologous series contain?
the same functional group
What is a functional group?
a group of atoms that determine how a compound usually reacts
What are the first six stems in a carbon chain?
meth eth prop but pent hex
what is the prefix for alkanes?
ane
What is the prefix for alkenes?
ene
What is the prefix for alcohols?
ol
What is the prefix for carboxylic acid?
oic acid
What is the prefix for esters?
alkyl
anoate
What is an isomer?
two molecules with the same molecular formula but the atoms are arranged differently - different structural formula
What do isomers have incomen?
similar chemical properties
What do isomers have differently?
physical properties - boiling point
What can some isomers have?
different functional group - different physical and chemical properties
What is crude oil?
a mixture of substances which can be separated by fractional distillation
What is crude oil seperated in?
fractioning column
Where is the shortest number of carbon chains in the fractioning column?
at the top
Where is the hottest place in a fractioning column?
bottom
What 6 fractions do you get in a fractioning column?
- refinery gases
- gasoline
- kerosene
- diesel
- fuel oil
- bitumen
Explain how a fractioning column works?
- oil heated until most of it has turned to gas, enters column
- when the substances reach part of column where temp is lower then their boiling point they condense
- bubble caps stop the separated liquids from running back down and remixing.
What might each fraction contain?
saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbons
What is a saturated hydrocarbon?
only contains single bonds
What is an unsaturated hydro carbon?
have double or triple bonds between carbon atoms
What is cracking?
splitting up long chain hydrocarbons
Describe long hydrocarbons?
high boiling points and viscous
Describe shorter hydrocarbons?
lower boiling point and much thinner + paler
Which is in more demand ( shorter of longer hydrocarbons)
short-chain
What is done to meet short chain demand?
long chain molecules are split using cracking
What is cracking a form of?
thermal decomposition
describe cracking?
- vaporised hydrocarbon are passed over a powdered catalyst
- 600-700 degrees Celsius
- silica or alumina are used as catalyst
What happens when you burn a fuel?
releases energy to form heat
Why do hydrocarbons make great fuels?
because combustion reactions that happen when you burn them in oxygen give out lots of energy
Give the word equation for when a hydrocarbon burns in plentiful supply of oxygen? ( complete combustion)
hydrocarbon + oxygen -> carbon dioxide + water
What happens if there is not enough oxygen for complete combustion to occur?
incomplete combustion
What does incomplete combustion make?
carbon dioxide + water + carbon monoxide + carbon
What is the problem with carbon monoxide?
combines with red blood cells and stops blood doing its job of carrying oxygen around the body
What is acid rain caused by?
sulfer dioxide and nitrogen oxides
what happens when fractions from crude oils are burned as fuels?
- sulfer dioxide and nitrogen oxides may be produced
What does sulfer dioxide come from?
sulfer impurities in the hydrocarbon fuels