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A-Level Chemistry > Topic 6- Organic chemistry > Flashcards

Topic 6- Organic chemistry Flashcards

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1
Q

What’s a hydrocarbon?

A

a compound that contains only carbon and hydrogen atoms

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2
Q

Define saturated

A

a compound containing only single bonds

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3
Q

Define unsaturated

A

a compound containing one or more multiple bonds

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4
Q

What’s a displayed formula?

A

shows every atom and every bond

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5
Q

What’s a structural formula?

A

shows how the atoms are joined together

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6
Q

What’s a skeletal formula?

A

shows all the bond between carbon atoms

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7
Q

What’s a molecular formula?

A

shows the actual numbers of each atom in the molecule

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8
Q

What’s an empirical formula?

A

shows the numbers of each atom in the simplest whole-number ratio

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9
Q

Define a functional group

A

an atom or group of atoms in a molecule that is responsible for its chemical reactions

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10
Q

Define a homologous series

A

a family of compounds with the same functional group, which differ in formula by CH2 from the next member

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11
Q

What’s the general formula for an alkane?

A

CnH2n+2

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12
Q

What’s the general formula for an alkene?

A

CnH2n

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13
Q

What’s the general formula for an alcohol?

A

CnH2n+1OH

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14
Q

What’s the general formula for a halogenalkane?

A

CnH2n+1X

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15
Q

What’s a locant?

A

the number used to indicate which carbon atom in the chain an atom or group is attached to

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16
Q

Define structural isomers?

A

compounds with the same molecular formula but with different structural formula

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17
Q

What are stereoisomers?

A

compounds with the same structural formula but with the atoms or groups arranged differently in 3D

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18
Q

What are geometric isomers?

A

compounds containing a C=C bond with atoms or groups attached at different positions

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19
Q

What is fractional distillation?

A

the process used to separate a liquid mixture into fractions by boiling and condensing

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20
Q

Define cracking

A

the breakdown of molecules into shorter ones by heating with a catalyst

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21
Q

Describe reforming

A

the conversion of straight-chained hydrocarbons into branched-chain and cyclic hydrocarbons

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22
Q

What is complete combustion?

A

when all the atoms in the fuel are fully oxidised

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23
Q

State the equation for the complete oxidation of propane

A

C3H6 + O2 —> 3CO2 + H2O`

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24
Q

What is incomplete combustion?

A

some of the atoms in the fuel are not fully oxidised

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25
Q

What’s a substitution reaction?

A

where an atom or group is replaced by another atom or group

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26
Q

Define a mechanism

A

the sequence of steps in an overall reaction. each step shows what happens to the electrons involved in bond breaking or bond formation

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27
Q

What’s homolytic fission?

A

the breaking of a covalent bond where each of the bonding electrons leaves with one species, forming a radical e.g. Cl2—> 2 Cl radicals

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28
Q

What’s a radical?

A

a species which contains an unpaired electron

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29
Q

What’s the initiation step?

A

involves the formation of radicals, usually as a result of bond breaking caused by ultraviolet radiation

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30
Q

What are propagation steps?

A

the 2 steps that, when repeated several times , convert the starting materials into products of a reaction

31
Q

What’s a terminator step?

A

involves the formation of a molecule from 2 radicals

32
Q

What are sigma bonds?

A

covalent bonds formed when electron orbitals overlap end-on

33
Q

What are pi bonds?

A

covalent bonds formed when electron orbitals overlap sideways

34
Q

What’s an addition reaction?

A

a reaction in which 2 molecules combine to form 1 molecule

35
Q

Define hydrogenation, halogenation and hydration

A 
hydrogenation= addition of hydrogen
halogenation= addition of a halogen
hydration= addition of water or steam
36
Q

What is a diol?

A

a compound containing 2 OH (alcohol) groups

37
Q

What do curly arrows represent?

A

movement of electron pairs

38
Q

What’s an electrophile?

A

a species that is attracted to a region of high electron density

39
Q

Define electrophilic addition

A

a reaction in which 2 molecules form 1 molecule and the attacking molecule is an electrophile

40
Q

Define heterolytic fission

A

the breaking of a covalent bond so that both bonding electrons are taken by one atom

41
Q

What’s a carbocation?

A

a positive ion in which the charge is shown on a carbon atom

42
Q

What’s an electron releasing group?

A

one that pushes electrons towards the atom it is joined to

43
Q

Define monomers

A

small molecules that combine together to form a polymer

44
Q

What is the repeat unit of a polymer?

A

the set of atoms that are joined together in large numbers to produce the polymer structure

45
Q

Define the term nucleophile

A

a species that donates a lone pair of electrons to forma covalent bond with an electron-deficient atom

46
Q

What’s a hydrolysis reaction?

A

where water or a hydroxide ion replace an atom in a molecule with an -OH group

47
Q

How do you determine whether a halogenoalkane is primary, secondary or tertiary?

A

depending on the number of alkyl groups bonded to the C atom that is bonded to the halogen

48
Q

State the materials/steps used to compare the rate of hydrolysis reactions for halogenoalkanes

A
  • using ethanol as a solvent
  • controlling variables e.g. temperature, concentration + quantity of halogenoalkane
  • timing appearance of precipitate
49
Q

What are the two different types of comparison you can make between hydrolysis reactions of halogenoalkanes?

A

1) compare halogenoalkanes with the same structure but different halogens
2) compare halogenoalkanes with the same halogen but different structures

50
Q

Which halogenoalkane will be substituted the fastest… 1-iodobutane or 1-chlorobutane?

A

1-iodobutane because the C-I bond is weaker

51
Q

Which halogenoalkane structure gets substituted the quickest?

A

tertiary structures

52
Q

Define nitriles

A

organic compounds containing the C-CN group

53
Q

What are primary amines?

A

compounds containing the C-NH2 group

54
Q

Define nucleophilic substitution

A

a reaction where an attacking nucleophile replaces an existing atom or group

55
Q

Define an elimination reaction

A

where a molecule loses atoms attached to the adjacent carbon atoms, forming a C=C

56
Q

What is halogenation?

A

a reaction where the hydroxyl group in an alcohol is replaced by a halogen atom

57
Q

Define dehydration

A

a reaction resulting in the removal of the hydroxyl group in an alcohol, together with a hydrogen atom from an adjacent carbon atom, forming a C=C

58
Q

What are ketones?

A

contain a carbonyl group, C=O and formed by the oxidation of secondary alcohols (general formula: RCOR)

59
Q

What are aldehydes?

A

contain a carbonyl group, C=O and formed from the partial oxidation of primary alcohols. general formula: RCHO

60
Q

What are carboxylic acids?

A

contain a carboxyl group, -COOH and formed by the complete oxidation of primary alcohols

61
Q

What is heating under reflux?

A

heating a reaction mixed with a condenser fitted vertically, used when oxidation is intended to be complete

62
Q

What is distillation with addittion?

A

heating a reaction mixture, but adding another liquid and distilling the product as it forms, when oxidation is intended to be incomplete (e.g. aldehyde)

63
Q

How may organic products be contaiminated?

A
  • unreacted starting materials
  • other organic products
  • the inorganic reagents or the inorganic products formed from them
  • water
64
Q

What techniques could be used to separate the intended product from the reaction mixture?

A
  • simple distillation
  • fractional distillation
  • solvent extraction
  • drying
65
Q

What material does the apparatus used for organic mixtures tend to be?

A

glass because they are flammable and sometimes toxic

66
Q

Which kind of alcohol can be oxidised to an aldehyde and carboxylic acid?

A

primary alcohol

67
Q

Which kind of alcohol can be oxidised to a ketone?

A

secondary alcohol

68
Q

Can tertiary alcohols be oxidised?

A

no

69
Q

State 2 features of the solvent used for solvent extraction?

A
  • the solvent added should be immiscible with the solvent containing the desired organic product
  • the desired product should be much more soluble in the solvent added than in the reaction mixture
70
Q

Summarise the process of solvent extraction

A

1) place the reaction mixture in a separating funnel and add the solvent (it should form a separate layer)
2) add a stopper and shake the mixture
3) allow the contents to settle into 2 layers
4) remove the stopper and allow the lower layer to drain into a flask and pour upper layer into a separate flask
5) simple distillation or fractional distillation can be used to separate the solvent used and the desired product

71
Q

How can you test if an organic compound is pure?

A

measure its boiling temperature, impurities raise the boiling temperature

72
Q

How does a drying agent change after absorbing water?

A

goes from powdery to crystalline

73
Q

Summarise the process of drying

A

1) drying agent added to organic liquid and mixture is swirled and left for a period of time
2) drying agent goes from powdery to crystalline once it’s absorbed water
3) if more drying agent is added and it remains powdery, it indicates the liquid is dry
4) the drying agent is removed via decantation or filtration

A-Level Chemistry (20 decks)

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