Topic 6 - OC Alcohols

Question 1

General formula of Halogenoalkanes

Answer 1

CnH2n+1X

Question 2

Halogenoalkanes can be classified as primary, secondary or tertiary

Answer 2

Depending on the number of alkyl groups joined to the C atom bonded to the halogen atom
1 = primary
2 = secondary
3 = tertiary

Question 3

What is a nucleophile

Answer 3

A species that donates a lone pair of electrons to form a covalent bond with an electron deficient atom
- attracted to positive charge / electron deficiient part of a moelcule

Question 4

What makes halogenoalkanes reactive

Answer 4

Halogenoalkanes contain a halogen atom with an electronegativity higher than that of carbon and therefore the bond is polar
- down group 7, the electronegativities of the halogens decrease and therefore the polarity of the bond also decreases
- the carbon atom is always slightly positive and is what makes halogenoalkanes so reactive
- these carbon atoms attract nucleophiles (negative ions which use a lone pair of atoms when attacking another species)

Question 5

Hydrolysis reaction can be used to compare the reactivities of different Halogenoalkanes

Answer 5

When a halogenoalkane is added to water - the water molecule contains polar bonds, and the O- ion is attarcted to the C+ ion in the halogenalkane - this forms an alcohol - no colour change can be seen as both organic substances are usually colourless liquids