Topic 17- Further organic chemistry Flashcards
Define chiral
an atom in a molecule that allows it to exist as non-superimposable forms. it can also refer to the molecule itself
Give an example of something that shoes chirality
your hands- made of the same thing and a mirror image of each other but will not line up when placed on top of one another
Define asymmetric in terms of carbon atoms
refers to a carbon atom in a molecule that is joined to 4 different atoms or groups
What are enantiomers?
isomers that are related as object and mirror image
When does a substance show optical activity?
if it rotates the plane of polarisation of plane-polarised light
Define plane-polarised light
monochromatic light that has oscillations in only one plane
Define unpolarised light
has oscillations in all planes at right angles to the direction of travel
What is a polarimeter?
the apparatus used to measure the angle of rotation caused by a substance
Define a polariser
a material that converts unpolarised light into plane-polarised light
What is an analyser?
a material that allows plane-polarised light to pass through it
What is a racemic mixture?
an equimolar mixture of 2 enantiomers that has no optical activity
What is the functional group of carboxylic acids and their suffix?
COOH
-oic acid
What is the general formula of a carboxylic acid?
RCOOH
Which 2 groups maker up a carboxylic group?
carbonyl and hydroxide
Which carboxylic acids are soluble in water and why?
shorter chain carboxylic acids because they form hydrogen bonds with the water
What is the trend of solubility in carboxylic acids?
solubility decreases with chain length
What is the trend of boiling points in carboxylic acids?
longer chain= higher boiling point because there are more intermolecular (hydrogen) bonds
What is a dimer?
a double molecule