Topic 6: Organic I Flashcards
Define Isomer
Molecules with the same molecular formula but different arrangements of their atoms in space.
Define Structural Isomerism
Same molecular formula but different structural formula.
Define Stereoisomerism
Same structural and molecular formula but atoms occupy different positions in space.
What are the types of Structural Isomerism?
Chain, positional, and functional group
What are the types of geometric stereoisomerism?
E/Z and cis-trans
Can an E isomer be a cis or trans isomer?
Trans
Do Z isomers have the priority groups on the same or opposite sides?
Same (On Ze Zame Zide)
What is cracking?
The conversion of long hydrocarbon chains to smaller hydrocarbon chains.
What can the products of cracking be?
Smaller alkenes and an alkane
Smaller alkenes and a cycloalkane
Branched alkenes and a branched alkane
What can be done with the alkenes produced by cracking?
The alkenes can be used in addition polymerisation reactions to make other useful substances such as polyethene.
Why is Reforming important?
Straight chain alkanes make poor quality petrol and so converting them is important for making good fuel.
What are the steps in cracking?
A long hydrocarbon chain is heated until it vaporises. The vapour is then passed over a heated catalyst such as silica-alumina or zeolites. Thermal decomposition reaction takes place.
What happens during reforming?
Straight chain alkanes are converted into cyclic compounds - first to cyclic compounds then to aromatic hydrocarbons. Hydrogen gas is a biproduct.
What are problems with the combustion of alkanes?
Air pollution, incomplete combustion producing carbon monoxide and unburnt hydrocarbons.
Other products include sulfur dioxide, sulfur trioxide, and nitrous oxides, which contribute to acid rain.
How reaction occurs in catalytic converters?
2NO + 2CO -> N2 + 2CO2
Adsorption, reaction, and desorption
What does heterolytic cleavage produce?
Ions
What does homolytic cleavage produce?
Free Radicals
What is the equation for finding the formal charge?
Formal charge = Non-bonding electrons + 1/2 bonding electrons
Would the ammonium ion act as a nucleophile, an electrophile, or neither?
Neither. It cannot act as a nucleophile because it has a positive charge and there is no lone pair on the N. It is usually not considered a electrophile as the N+ cannot accept a pair of e-. However, it can be considered to have electrophilic properities as the H atoms are electrophilic and are subject to attack.
Why is a tertiary carbocation the most stable?
The inductive effect: electron density is passed through the C-C bond to the positive carbon, stabilising the C+. The more R groups around the C+, the greater the inductive effect.
What is the test for alkenes?
Add bromine solution (which is reddish-brown). Solution turns colourless if alkene present.
What is electrophilic addition?
The addition of an electrophile to a double bond.
Name 4 electrophilic addition reactions.
Hydrogen (hydrogenation)
Hydration -steam
Hydrogen Halide (HX)
Halogens (XX)
What are the fractions produced by fractional distillation? Give them in order from longest to shortest chains.
Bitumen: roads and roofs
Fuel oil: fuel for ships, power station
Diesel: Fuel for cars, lorries, buses
Kerosene: Aircraft fuel
Gasoline: Fuel for cars
(Refinery) Gases: Bottled Gas
What are the two types of cracking?
Describe the conditions required and products for each?
Thermal cracking: Requires high temperatures (up to 1000 oC) and high pressures (up to 70atm) and produces alkanes and a lot of alkenes.
Catalytic cracking: Lower temperatures (around 450 oC) and slight pressure in presence of zeolite or aluminium oxide catalyst to produce mainly aromatic hydrocarbons.
What is the catalyst used in reforming?
Platinum
Why are straight chain alkanes bad fuels?
They are more likely to explode, rather than combust, inside the engine. This is known as knocking, and makes the combustion less efficient.
How is CO formed as a pollutant?
CO is formed by the incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons in car engines.
How are NOx compounds formed as pollutants?
Oxidation of nitrogen from the air in car engines.
What is the consequence of NOx as a pollutant?
Dissolve in and react in water with oxygen to form acid rain.
How are biodiesel, bioethanol, and biogas formed?
Biodiesel: made by refining renewable fats and oils.
Bioethanol: made by fermentation.
Biogas: made/released when organic waste breaks down.
What are the benefits of biofuels?
Often considered carbon neutral - though not completely correct as carbon dioxide produced during refinement and transport of plants.
Biodiesel and biogas can reduce waste going to landfill.