Organic Compounds

Question 1

What is the significance of the tetravalency of carbon?

Answer 1

Carbon’s tetravalency allows it to form four covalent bonds, leading to the formation of complex organic molecules with chains and rings (catenation).

Question 2

What is the general formula for alkanes?

Answer 2

The general formula for alkanes is 𝐶𝑛 𝐻₂𝑛 + 2

Question 2

What is a homologous series?

Answer 2

A homologous series is a group of organic compounds with the same functional group and similar chemical properties, where each successive member differs by a 𝐶𝐻₂ unit.

Question 2

What is catenation?

Answer 2

Catenation is the ability of carbon atoms to form long chains and rings by bonding with other carbon atoms.

Question 3

What are the uses of halogenated alkanes?

Answer 3

Halogenated alkanes are used as solvents, refrigerants, and in the production of pharmaceuticals.

Question 3

What is structural isomerism?

Answer 3

Structural isomerism occurs when molecules have the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements of atoms.

Question 4

What is the process of fractional distillation?

Answer 4

Fractional distillation is the separation of a mixture (like crude oil) into fractions based on differences in boiling points.

Question 5

What is cracking in petroleum refining?

Answer 5

Cracking is the process of breaking down large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller, more useful ones, such as gasoline.

Question 6

What is octane number?

Answer 6

The octane number is a measure of a fuel’s ability to resist knocking during combustion in an engine.

Question 7

What is the general formula for alkenes?

Answer 7

The general formula for alkenes is 𝐶𝑛𝐻₂𝑛

Question 8

What is geometric isomerism in alkenes?

Answer 8

Geometric isomerism occurs when alkenes have the same structural formula but differ in the spatial arrangement of atoms or groups around the double bond (cis-trans isomerism).

Question 9

How is ethyne (acetylene) produced?

Answer 9

Ethyne is produced by the action of water on calcium carbide
(𝐶𝑎𝐶₂).

Question 9

What are the products of polymerization?

Answer 9

Polymerization of alkenes can produce materials like polythene and synthetic rubber, used in packaging and tire manufacturing.

Question 10

What is the chemical test for terminal alkynes?

Answer 10

Terminal alkynes react with ammoniacal silver nitrate to form a white precipitate of silver acetylide.

Question 10

What is the structure of benzene?

Answer 10

Benzene has a hexagonal ring structure with alternating double bonds (resonance structure).

Question 11

What are the uses of benzene?

Answer 11

Benzene is used as a starting material in the production of plastics, resins, synthetic fibers, and dyes.

Question 11

How is ethanol produced by fermentation?

Answer 11

Ethanol is produced by the fermentation of sugars by yeast, where glucose is converted into ethanol and carbon dioxide.

Question 11

What is the Lucas test?

Answer 11

The Lucas test is used to distinguish between primary, secondary, and tertiary alkanols based on their reactivity with concentrated hydrochloric acid and zinc chloride.

Question 11

What are the local examples of fermentation?

Answer 11

Examples include the production of gin from palm wine and other local alcoholic beverages through distillation.

Question 12

How can you chemically distinguish between alkanals and alkanones?

Answer 12

Alkanals (aldehydes) give a positive result with Fehling’s solution (red precipitate), while alkanones (ketones) do not.

Question 13

What is esterification?

Answer 13

Esterification is the reaction between an alkanoic acid and an alkanol to form an alkanoate (ester) and water.

Question 14

What is ethanedioic acid (oxalic acid)?

Answer 14

Ethanedioic acid is a dicarboxylic acid used in cleaning agents, bleaching, and as a reducing agent.

Question 14

What is benzene carboxylic acid (benzoic acid)?

Answer 14

Benzene carboxylic acid is an aromatic acid used as a food preservative and in the production of pharmaceuticals.

Question 14

How are alkanoates formed?

Answer 14

Alkanoates are formed by the reaction of an alkanoic acid with an alkanol in the presence of an acid catalyst (esterification)

Question 15

What is saponification?

Answer 15

Saponification is the hydrolysis of an ester (usually a fat or oil) with a base to produce soap and glycerol.

Question 16

What are primary, secondary, and tertiary amines?

Answer 16

Primary amines have one alkyl group attached to the nitrogen atom, secondary have two, and tertiary have three.

Question 16

What is the Benedict’s test?

Answer 16

Benedict’s test is a chemical test for reducing sugars, where a positive result produces a red or orange precipitate.

Question 16

What are the classes of carbohydrates?

Answer 16

Carbohydrates are classified into monosaccharides (e.g., glucose), disaccharides (e.g., sucrose), and polysaccharides (e.g., starch, cellulose).

Question 17

What is the difference between soap and detergent?

Answer 17

Soap is made from natural fats and oils, while detergents are synthetic and work better in hard water.

Question 18

What are the uses of carbohydrates?

Answer 18

Carbohydrates are used in the production of alcoholic beverages, pharmaceuticals, and textiles.

Question 19

What happens during the hydrolysis of complex sugars?

Answer 19

Hydrolysis breaks down complex sugars like starch into simpler sugars like glucose.

Question 20

What is the role of enzymes?

Answer 20

Enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts, speeding up chemical reactions in living organisms.

Question 20

What is the primary structure of a protein?

Answer 20

The primary structure of a protein is the sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain.

Question 21

What is the Biuret test?

Answer 21

The Biuret test is a chemical test for proteins, where a positive result turns the solution violet.

Question 22

What are thermosetting plastics?

Answer 22

Thermosetting plastics are plastics that, once cured, cannot be melted and reshaped; they form a rigid, permanent structure.

Question 22

What is the difference between addition and condensation polymerization?

Answer 22

Addition polymerization involves the joining of monomers without the loss of any atoms, while condensation polymerization involves the loss of small molecules like water during the formation of the polymer.

Question 22

What are thermoplastics?

Answer 22

Thermoplastics are plastics that can be melted and reshaped multiple times without altering their chemical structure.