Topic 6A,B,C - Alkanes and Alkenes (Organic Chemistry) Flashcards
What is a Homologous series?
A series of compounds containing the same functional group so have same general formula and chemical properties
What is a Functional Group?
A single atom or group of atoms that gives a compound its chemical properties
Definition of Molecular formula
The formula which shows the actual number of each type of atom
Definition of a empirical formula
Show the simplest whole number ratio of atoms of each element in the compound
Definition of Structural formula
Shows how atoms are grouped together in a molecule
Definition of Displayed formula
Shows all the atoms and all the bonds in a molecule
Definition of Skeletal formula
Shows a simplified structural formula only show carbon -carbon bonds (as lines) and functional groups of present
What are 3 properties of a homologous series
- They show a gradual change in physical properties e.g boiling point
- Each member differs by CH2 (the same difference) from the last
- They have the same chemical properties
What are the general rules for naming carbon chains?
- Count the longest carbon chain and name appropriately, find any branched chains and figure out the carbon they are coming off and the functional group that they are e.g 3,5 - dimethylheptane meaning that the longest carbon chain is 7 and there are 2 methyl groups coming off the 3rd and 5th carbon
- You have to make sure that the numbers are the smallest possible
- When naming with multiple functional groups the order of them is alphabetical
- Words are separated by numbers with dashes and numbers are separated by commas
- When writing the structural formula of molecules that have functional groups e.g methyl coming off of them you need to put brackets around it e.g CH3CH(CH3)CH3
Definition of an Isomer/ structural isomer
Molecules with the same molecular formula but a different structural formula
What are the 2 types of isomers?
- structural isomers
- stereoisomers
What are the 3 types of structural isomers?
- Chain isomers
- position isomers
- Functional group isomers
What is the definition of a chain isomer?
Compounds with the same molecular formula but different shaped/ structured chains e.g straight chain or branched e.g pent-1-ene and 3-methylbut-1-ene
What is the definition of a position isomer?
Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structures due to different positions of the functional group on the molecules e.g pent-1-ene and pent-2-ene
What is the definition of a functional group isomer?
Compounds with the same molecular formula but with the atoms arranged to give different functional groups e.g Alkenes and Cyclo Alkanes have the same molecular formula but different functional groups
What is the definition of a stereoisomer?
Molecules with the same molecular and structural formula but with a different arrangement of atoms in space e.g cis/trans isomers and E/Z isomers
What are the 5 types of reactions?
Addition, Polymerisation, Elimination, Substitution, Hydrolysis.
When do addition reactions occur?
When molecules contain a double bond e.g In Alkenes, they are said to be unsaturated and the carbon-carbon double bond can break and gain another molecule in an addition reaction.
When do polymerisation reactions occur and give an example?
Addition polymerisation occurs when small molecules (monomers) with double bonds e.g Alkenes, add to each other and join up in long chains to form polymers. The reaction
needs a suitable catalyst and temperature. An example; n(C2H4) -> -(C2H4)-n
When do elimination reactions occur and give an example?
An elimination reaction is basically the opposite of an addition reaction, it splits off a simple molecule e.g water or hydrogen chloride, from a larger molecule leaving a double bond e.g C2H5Cl -> C2H4 + HCl (in the presence of NaOH, ethanol and heat)
When do substitution reactions occur and give an example?
Substitution reactions occur when an atom or group of atoms is replaced by another atom or group of atoms e.g alkanes + halogens (in the presence of UV light) -> halogenoalkanes + Hydrogen halides
When do hydrolysis reactions occur and give an example?
Hydrolysis is used to describe any reaction in which water is used to split apart a molecule (don’t need to know the process in detail). To recognise this reaction you would see water as a reactant and the reaction is often catalysed by an alkali or acid. Hydrolysis reactions are often substitution reactions in which the chemical attack is by nucleophiles such as water molecules or hydroxide ions.
What are nucleophiles?
Nucleophiles are molecules or ions that have a lone pair of electrons that is able to form a new covalent bond. For example; Oxygen in hydrogen oxide, Carbon in carbon nitride, Oxygen in water, Nitrogen in Ammonia
- They are electron pair donors
- They attack ions/molecules with a partially positive charge
What are electrophiles?
An electrophile is a species which can accept a pair of electrons from an electron rich sire in another molecule to form a new covalent bond. Electrophiles are often positively charged e.g H+
- They are ‘electron loving’ reagents
- Electrophiles form a new bond by accepting a pair of electrons from the molecule or ion attached in the reaction