Topic 6 - ORGANICS I Flashcards
Features of a homologous series
- Same general formula
- Show a trend in physical properties
- Have similar chemical properties
What type of bonds are all single bonds?
Sigma bonds
What are the properties of sigma bonds?
- End on overlap
- Large overlap
- Directly between nuclei
- Strong attraction
What are the properties of pi bonds?
- Side on overlap
- Smaller overlap
- Not directly between nuclei
- Significantly weaker
What type of bonds are double bonds?
A sigma bond surrounded by 2 pi bonds
What are structural isomers?
Molecules with:
- Same molecular formula
- Different structural formula
What are geometric isomers?
- Same molecular formula
- Different structural formula
- Restricted rotation about a C=C double bond
- Different groups on the C atoms
What is a hydrocarbon?
Molecules made of hydrogen and carbon atoms only
Definition of an alkane
Hydrocarbons with the general formula CnH2n+2
What is the trend of boiling points as alkane size increases?
Bp/mp increases
Why does boiling point increase as alkane size increases?
- London forces increase
- More electrons per molecule
- More energy required to overcome IMFs
What state is C4H10?
Gas
What state is C5H12?
Liquid
What is miscibility?
The ability of two solutions to combine and form a homogeneous solution
Are alkanes miscible in H2O?
No
- CnH2n+2 and H2O cannot form hydrogen bonds
Are alkanes miscible in cyclohexane?
Yes
- Both CnH2n+2 and C6H12 only form London forces
Can alkanes bond with other reactants?
Not likely
- Alkanes have sigma bonds which are very strong
- Hence low reactivity
What type of reactions can alkanes undertake?
- Combustion reaction
- Substitution with halogens
Describe the process of obtaining fuel from perch
- Dead matter from the seabed is compressed and heated, producing hydrocarbons
- Drilling removes the crude oil from the sea
- Fractional distillation separates the crude oil into fractions
- Cracking converts long hydrocarbon chains to shorter, more useful chains
- Reformation converts these chains to shorter, thick branched isomers
What are the main fractions produced in fractional distillation?
Lightest->heaviest
- Refinery gases
- Gasoline
- Kerosene
- Diesel
- Fuel oil
- Bitumen
What are the conditions necessary for cracking?
~ 650oC
- Catalysts such as aluminium oxide/silica dioxide
Why is reformation useful?
- Isomers are short, thick and branched
Isomers pack less closely together, therefore:
- Weaker London forces
- More efficient combustion
What are the products of complete alkane combustion?
- Highest oxides
- CO2
- Exothermic, releases energy
Only when there is sufficient O2
What are the products of incomplete alkane combustion?
- Lower oxides
- CO2, CO and C
When there is insufficient O2
What are the consequences of pollution by carbon oxides?
CO2 and CO
CO2: Greenhouse effect, climate change (long term environmental problem)
CO: Toxic (short term health problem)
What are the consequences of pollution by nitrous oxides?
- Acid rain (Long term environmental problem)
- Toxic (short term health problem)
How are sulphur oxides produced?
When impurities in the oil react in the engine
What are the consequences of pollution by sulphur oxides?
SO2 and SO3
- Acid rain (long term environmental problem)
- Toxic (short term health problem)
How do catalytic converters reduce the harm caused by pollutants?
- Made of platinum/rhodium
- Oxidises harmful oxides
Eg.
NO + CO –> 0.5N2 + CO2
What type of reaction is methane + bromine?
Alkane (radical) substitution
What is the net reaction of CH4 + Br2 –> ?
CH4 + Br2 –> CH3Br + HBr
What are the 3 steps of the alkane substitution mechanism?
- Initiation
- Propagation
- Termination
Explain what initiation is in the alkane substitution mechanism?
Halogen breaks apart homolytically due to energy from UV light
Explain what is propagation in the alkane substitution mechanism?
- 2 step process in which reactants -> products
- Catalysed by halogen radical