Organic Chemistry Flashcards
What does structural formula mean?
It shows the arrangement of atoms in a molecule without showing every bond.
What is a functional group?
A group of atoms responsible for characteristic reactions of a compound.
Give the prefixes for
a. CH3 group
b. C2H5 group
c. Cl group
Methyl
Ethyl
Chloro
Define structural isomerism?
When molecules have the same molecular formula but different structural formula.
What are the 3 ways in which structural isomers can be formed?
- Alkyl groups can be in different places
- Functional groups can be bonded to different parts.
- There can be different functional groups.
What are stereoisomers?
Organic compounds with the same molecular and structural formula but have different arrangement of atoms in space.
What is E-Z isomerism and how are they decided?
E-Z isomerism is caused by limited rotation about the C=C double bonds.
If two substituents with the highest molecular mass are on the same side of the double bond it is Z isomer.
If they are on different sides it is the E isomer.
What is homolytic fission?
Each atom gets one electron from the covalent bond.
It forms 2 free radicals
What is heterolytic bond fission?
The bonding pair of electrons leave with one of the fragments and usually leads to ion formation.
-one atom gets both electrons
What is a radical?
A species with an unpaired electron. Highly reactive.
How is a covalent bond formed from two radicals?
The radicals collide and the electrons are involved in the bond formation.
Describe the process of fractional distillation of crude oil?
- The oil is pre-heated then passed into a column.
- The fractions condense at different heights and the temperature of column decreases upwards.
- The separation of the rules depends on boiling point which depends in size of molecules. The larger the molecules the larger the London forces.
- Similar molecules condense together and so are collected at the same fraction.
- Small molecules condense at the top at lower temperatures and big molecules at the bottom at higher temperatures.
What is cracking?
Cracking is the process of converting longer chain hydrocarbons into shorter chains. It is done by passing the hydrocarbons in the heavier fraction through a heated catalyst. This causes larger molecules to break up into smaller ones.
What is structural isomerism?
Structural isomerism occurs when two or more compounds have the same formula but different structural formula.
Define homologous series?
A family compound with the same functional group which differ in formula by CH2 from the next member.
What’s an use of chain isomerism in the petrochemical industry?
Is is used to produce more branched alkanes with a higher octane number,from linear alkanes for fuels more suitable for petrol engines.
What is an alkyl group?
A saturated section of a molecule derived from an alkane.
Explain the use of arrows in mechanisms?
A half arrow head mean movement of a single electron, whilst a full arrow head shows an electron pair movement
Explain in detail the process of fractional distillation?
- Crude oil is heated in a furnace which turns most of it into vapour, which is then passed into the column near the bottom.
- There is a temperature gradient in the column: it is hotter near the bottom and cooler near the top.
- Nearer the bottom of the column the fractions contain larger molecules with longer chains that have a higher boiling temperature.
- Nearer the top of the column the fraction contain smaller molecules with shorter chain and lower boiling points.
- Some of the hydrocarbons in crude oil are dissolved gases and they rise to the top of the column without condensing.
What is crude oil?
-mixture of hydrocarbons
It is a finite resource found in rocks - its non-renewable and will run out eventually.
It is the remains of an ancient aquatic biomass consisting mainly of plankton.
What is cracking and why do we do it?
As the world has fewer uses for shorter chain hydrocarbons there is a surplus of these. The demand for shorter chain hydrocarbons is much higher because they are better fuels and can be used to make other substance such as polymers.
Cracking is the process in which we convert the longer chains into shorter chains.
Explain the process of Cracking ?
Cracking is the breakdown of molecules into shorter ones by heating with a catalyst.
- You pass the hydrocarbon in the heavier fractions through a heated catalyst (zeolite-made up Al,Si and O).
- This causes larger molecules to break up into smaller ones. From one large molecule two smaller molecules are formed
Explain the process of reforming ?
Reforming is the conversion of straight chain hydrocarbons into branched chain and cyclic hydrocarbons by heating them with a catalyst,usually platinum.
What is complete combustion in terms of fuels?
All the atoms in the fuel are fully oxidised.
What is incomplete combustion in terms of fuel?
It means that some of the atoms in the fuel are not fully oxidised.
How are oxides of sulphur formed during the combustion of alkane fuels?
Some of the molecules in the crude oil contain atoms of sulfur and these may not be removed by the fractional distillation,cracking or reforming process.
During the combustion of alkanes these atoms of sulfur from sulfur dioxide and then react in the air to form sulfur trioxide.
What are some of the problems that arise due to Oxides of sulfur being formed?
Both oxides are acidic. So when they dissolve in water in the atmosphere they form sulphurous acid and sulfuric acid.
Both these acids contribute to the formation of acid rain.
This causes damage to aquatic life in rivers and lakes and damage to crops and forests.
Explain the problems arising due to the formation of carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas. In the body it prevents the transport of oxygen around the body.
How are oxides of nitrogen formed during the combustion of Alkane fuels?
Combustion of alkane fuels that contain nitrogen atoms occurs at very high temperatures. These condition cause nitrogen molecules in the air to react with oxygen molecules. These reactions lead to the formation of what are collectively known as oxides of nitrogen.
What are the problems arising due to the formation of oxides of nitrogen from combustion?
Nitrogen dioxide is acidic and can dissolve in water in the atmosphere forming nitrous acid and nitric acid. Both of these acids contribute to environmental damage by damaging aquatic life and damaging agriculture.
Explain how catalytic converters work solve some of the problem caused by pollutants?
Catalytic converters are fitted into the exhaust system of cars.
They have a ceramic honeycomb coated with a thin layer of catalyst metals (platinum, palladium and rhodium) - to give a large surface area.
As the exhaust gases from the engine pass through the converter they are turned into less harmful gases.(CO,NOx and unburned hydrocarbons to CO2,N2 and H20)
Why is there a need for alternative fuels?
- over relying on fossil fuels and the problems of that
- The depletion of natural resources
- Global warming and climate change
What are some advantages of using biofuels?
- Reduction of use of fossil fuels which are finite resources
- biofuels are renewable
- Use of biodiesel is more carbon-neutral.
- No risk of large scale pollution from exploitation of fossil fuels.
Definition of a biofuel?
Any fuel that is derived from biomass - that is plant or algae or animal waste.
Disadvantages of biofuels?
- Less food crops may be grown
- rain forests have to be cut down to provide land
- Shortage of fertile soils
Explain the properties of a C=C bond?
C=C double covalent bond consists of one sigma bond and one pi bond.
Pi bonds are exposed and have high electron density. They are therefore vulnerable to attack by species (electrophiles)
How is a sigma bond formed?
The overlapping of 2 s orbitals, or 1 s orbital and 1 p orbital or 2 p orbitals.
How is a pi bond formed?
The pi bond is formed by sideways overlap of two p orbitals on each carbon atom forming a pi bond above and below the plane of molecule.
How is margarine manufactured?
Hydrogenation.
Naturally occurring vegetable oils are unsaturated and so contain C=C double bonds. When these react with hydrogen, some of the C=C double bonds become C-C single bonds. This process changes the properties of the vegetable oil and converts it into a solid: which is margarine.
Explain the reaction of an alkene with halogens? (Conditions,reagent etc)
Alkene ——> dihalogenoalkane Reagent - bromine (dissolved in organic solvent) Conditions - room temperature Mechanism - electrophilic addition Type of bond fission - heterolytic
Explain the reaction of alkene with Halogen halides ? (Details)
Alkene —-> halogenoalkane Reagent - HCl or HBr Conditions - room temperature Mechanism - electrophilic addition Type of bond fission : heterolytic
What is a carbocation?
It is a positive ion in which the charge is shown on a carbon atom