Organic Chemistry Content

Question 1

Why carbon is unique?

Answer 1

1) carbon has the ability to form very long carbon to carbon chains, which are stable

2) carbon forms multiple strong bonds

3) carbon is able to form 4 covalent bonds (tetravalent)

4) carbon is able to form covalent bonds with itself and other elements

Question 2

Name all homologous series and their functional groups

Answer 2

1) alkanes - saturated hydrocarbons
2) alkenes - double C-C bonds
3) haloalkanes - halogen atom bonded to carbon
4) alcohols - hydroxyl group
5) carboxylic acids - carboxyl group
6) esters- ester group

Question 3

1) Combustion/oxidation reactions

Answer 3

Formula:
Any organic molecule +O2➡️ CO2+H2O+heat

Reaction conditions:
It’s exothermic (chemical potential energy to heat energy

Question 4

2.1) halogenation (Substitution reactions)

Answer 4

Formula:
alkane + X2➡️haloalkane + HX

Reaction conditions:
In the presence of UV light/sunlight

Question 5

2.2) Hydrolysis (substitution reaction)

Answer 5

Formula:
Haloalkane+strong alkali➡️alcohol+salt

Reaction conditions:
Heat under reflux in a dilute alkali solution
OR
heat in aqueous alkali solution (NaOH or KOH) - water present

Question 6

3.1) hydrogenation (addition reaction)

Answer 6

Formula:
Alkene+H2➡️alkane

Reaction conditions:
Alkene dissolved in an organic solvent with a Pt, Ni, or Pd catalyst in a H2 atmosphere

Question 7

3.2) Halogenation (addition reaction)

Answer 7

Formula:
Alkene+X2➡️dihaloalkane

Reaction conditions:
N/A

Question 8

3.3) hydrohalogenation (addition reaction)

Answer 8

Formula:
Alkene+HX➡️haloalkane

Reaction conditions:
No water must be present

Question 9

3.4) hydration (addition reaction)

Answer 9

Formula:
Alkene+water➡️alcohol

Reaction conditions:
Steam and a suitable catalyst; H2SO4 or H3PO4

Question 10

4.1) dehydrohalogenation (elimination reaction)

Answer 10

Formula:
Haloalkane➡️Alkene+HX
OR
Haloalkane➡️Alkene+salt+water
(In presence of water)

Reaction conditions:
Hot concentrated solution of NaOH or KOH in an ethanol solvent (in the absence of water)

Question 11

4.2) dehydration

Answer 11

Formula:
Alcohol➡️Alkene+water

Reaction conditions:
Acid catalysed dehydration - heating alcohol with excess H2SO4 or H3PO4

Question 12

4.3) cracking (elimination reaction)

Answer 12

Formula:
Long chain alkane➡️smaller alkanes+small Alkene

Reaction conditions:
Thermal cracking: high temperature
high pressure
no catalyst
Catalytic cracking: lower temperature
lower pressure
with catalyst

Question 13

5) condensation/esterification

Answer 13

Formula:
Alcohol+carboxylic acid➡️ester+water

Reaction conditions:
Concentrated H2SO4 + heat