petrochemicals and Organic chemistry

Question 1

what is crude oil

Answer 1

a mixture of hydrocarbons(fossil fuel)

Question 2

How does fractional distillation work

Answer 2

Oil is heated to about 450 degrees celsius and pumped into to the bottom of the tall tower called the fractionating column, where it vaporizes. The column is very hot at the bottom but much cooler at the top. As the vaporized oil rises, it cools and condenses. Heavy fractions(containing large molecules)have a high boiling point and condense near the bottom of the column. Lighter fractions(containing small molecules) have a lower boiling point and condense further up the column.

Question 3

Properties of large molecules

Answer 3

• high boiling point
• not volatile
• does not flow easily
• does not ignite easily

Question 4

Properties of small molecules

Answer 4

• low boiling points
• very volatile
• flows easily
• ignites easily

Question 5

Why is carbon such a useful atom

Answer 5

Carbon has 4 valence electrons, therefore easily react with other atoms. It can also form multiple bonds to itself and with atoms of other elements. C-C single bonds and C-H bonds are very strong forming materials with high tensile strength a carbon atom can have four covalent bonds and form long chain with itself to produce branched compounds.

Question 6

Alkanes

Answer 6

general formula: CnH2n+2
functional group: C-C
molecular formula: C2H6(ethane)

Question 7

examples of alkanes

Answer 7

• ethane(C2H6)
• methane(CH4)
• Propane(C3H8)
• Butane(C4H10)

Question 8

What are isomers

Answer 8

Structural isomers are compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formula.

Question 9

physical properties of alkanes

Answer 9

• unreactive but will undergo combustion(make good fuel)
• soft
• low melting points

Question 10

Alkenes

Answer 10

general formula: CnH2n
functional group: C=C
Molecular formula: Ethene(C2H4)

Question 11

some simple alkenes

Answer 11

• methene(CH2)
• propene(C3H6)
• pentene(C5H10)

Question 12

Breaking long chain alkenes

Answer 12

Fractions that are produced by the distillation of crude oilcan with go the process of cracking, which produces smaller hydrocarbons, including alkanes and alkenes

Question 13

What occurs during the process of cracking

Answer 13

Fractions containing large hydrocarbons can be vaporized and then passed over a hot catalyst. This breaks the chemical bonds in the molecule and forms smaller hydrocarbon molecules.

Question 14

alcohols

Answer 14

General formula: CnH2n+1OH
functional group: -OH
Molecular formula: Ethanol(C2H5OH)

Question 15

Carboxylic acids

Answer 15

General formula: CnH2nO2
Functional group: -COOH
Molecular formula: Ethanoic acid(CH3COOH)

Question 16

What is a homologous series

Answer 16

A homologous series is a series of compounds that have similar properties and the same general formula

Question 17

What are monomers/polymers

Answer 17

A monomer is a molecule that is able to bond in long chains.

A polymer can be made up of thousands of monomer. This linking up of monomers is called polymerization.

Question 18

What is an addition reaction

Answer 18

Addition reactions only occur with unsaturated compounds, that is, compounds containing a carbon-to-carbon double bond or a carbon-to-carbon triple bond. In other words, alkenes or alkynes. Addition reactions of monomers causes polymers to form.

Question 19

Examples of polymers

Answer 19

• polyethene
• polypropene
• polystyrene
• Teflon

Question 20

What is the bromine test

Answer 20

Bromine is an orange/brown solution, alkanes have the ability to turn this solution transparent when shaken together, alkenes are unable to do this.

Question 21

How are esters formed

Answer 21

Esterification= the production of esters by adding an alcohol to a carboxylic acid
functional group: O
                              II 
                              C
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                           R     OR