Topic 6a - Organic Chemistry I Flashcards
What are the different types of formulas that can be used to represent a molecule?
- General formula
- Empirical formula
- Molecular formula
- Structural formula
- Skeletal formula
- Displayed formula
What is a general formula?
- An algebraic formula that can describe any member of a family of compounds
- e.g. CnH2n
What is an empirical formula?
- Simplest whole number ratio of atoms of each element in a compound
- e.g. CH3 for ethane
What is a molecular formula?
- Actual number of atoms of each element in a molecule (by grouping all the atoms of each element together)
- e.g. C2H5O for ethanol
What is a structural formula?
- Shows the arrangement of atoms carbon by carbon, with the attached hydrogens and functional groups
- e.g. CH3CH2OH
What is a skeletal formula?
- Shows the bonds of the carbon skeleton only, with lines as C-C bonds
- Carbons and hydrogens are not shown, unless in a functional group, such as an OH
- e.g. See pg 70 of revision guide
What is a displayed formula?
- Shows how all the atoms are arranged and all the bonds between them
- e.g. See diagram pg 70 of revision guide
What is the difference between a molecular and structural formula?
- Molecular -> All the atoms are grouped together (e.g. C4H10O)
- Structural -> The arrangement of atoms is shows carbon by carbon (e.g. CH3CH2CH2CH2OH)
What is the general formula for alcohols?
CnH2n+1OH
What is the empirical formula for ethane?
CH3
What is the molecular formula for butan-1-ol?
C4H10O
What is the structural formal for butan-1-ol?
CH3CH2CH2CH2OH
What is the skeletal formula for butan-1-ol?
4 zig-zag lines with an OH on the end
What is the displayed formula for butan-1-ol?
See pg 70 of revision guide
Remember to practise writing our for butan-1-ol: • General formula • Empirical formula • Molecular formula • Structural formula • Skeletal formula • Displayed formula
See table pg 70 of revision guide.
What is nomenclature?
The naming of organic compounds.
What is the system used for naming organic compounds called?
IUPAC system
What are the steps in naming an organic compound?
1) Count the longest carbon chain -> This gives you the stem (e.g. prop-).
2) Find the main functional group -> This gives you the prefix or suffix (e.g. -ol).
3) Number the carbon chain so the main functional group has the lowest possible number. If there’s more than one longest chain, pick the one with the most side chains. -> This gives the number before the functional group (e.g. -2-ol)
4) Add side-chains and less important functional groups at the start of the name. Put them in alphabetical order (ignoring di, tri and tetra), after the number of the carbon they’re attached to.
5) If there’s more than one identical side-chain or functional group, use di-, tri- or tetra- before that part of the name.
Remember to practice naming organic compounds.
Pg 70 of revision guide + find examples.
Name: CH3CH(CH3)CH(CH2CH3)C(CH3)2OH
3-ethyl-2,4-dimethylpentan-2-ol
1) Longest chain is 5 carbons. So the stem is pent-.
2) Main functional group is -OH. So the name will be based on pentanol.
3) Numbering the longest carbon chain so that -OH has the lowest possible number (and you hae the most side chains) puts -OH on carbon 2. So it’s some sort of pentan-2-ol.
4) Side chains are the ethyl group on carbon 3, and methyl groups on carbons 2 and 4, so the systematic name is 3-ethyl-2,4-dimethylpentan-2-ol.
When naming organic compounds, when there are two longest carbon chains of the same length, which do you use as the main chain?
The one with the most side-chains.
What is a homologous series?
- A set of organic compounds with the same functional group and general formula.
- Consecutive members differ by a -CH2-.
What things do members of a homologous series have in common?
- Functional group
* General formula
How do members of a homologous series differ?
Consecutive members differ by a -CH₂-.
What is a functional group?
- A group of atoms in a molecule responsible for the characteristic reactions of that compound.
- e.g. -OH hydroxyl group
Is alkane a functional group?
- Usually, it is considered that alkanes have no functional group
- Some may claim that alkane is a functional group however
What is the functional group in alkenes?
The C=C bond.
What is the simplest homologous series?
Alkanes
What are the homologous series you need to know about?
- Alkanes
- Branched alkanes
- Alkenes
- Halogenoalkanes
- Alcohols
- Aldehydes
- Ketones
- Cycloalkanes
- Carboxylic acids
What is the prefix or suffix for alkanes?
-ane
What is the prefix or suffix for branched alkanes?
alkyl- (-yl)
e.g. methyl
What is the prefix or suffix for alkenes?
-ene
What is the prefix or suffix for halogenoalkanes?
chloro-/bromo-/iodo-
What is the prefix or suffix for alcohols?
-ol
What is the prefix or suffix for aldehydes?
-al
What is the prefix or suffix for ketones?
-one
What is the prefix or suffix for cycloalkanes?
cyclo-…-ane
What is the prefix or suffix for carboxylic acids?
-oic acid
What is the homologous series of propane?
Alkane
What is the homologous series of methylpropane?
Branched alkane
What is the homologous series of propene?
Alkene
What is the homologous series of chloroethane?
Halogenoalkane
What is the homologous series of ethanol?
Alcohol
What is the homologous series of ethanal?
Aldehyde
What is the homologous series of propanone?
Ketone
What is the homologous series of cyclohexane?
Cycloalkane
What is the homologous series of ethanoic acid?
Carboxylic acid
Remember to practise recognising the different homologous series.
Pg 71 of revision guide.
What are the different types of reaction in organic chemistry?
- Addition
- Polymerisation
- Elimination
- Substitution
- Hydrolysis
- Oxidation
- Reduction
What is a species?
An atom, ion, radical or molecule.
What is a good catch all term for atoms, ions radicals and molecules?
Species
What is an addition reaction?
Joining two or more molecules together to form a larger molecule.
What is a polymerisation reaction?
Joining together lots of simple molecules to form a giant molecule.
What is an elimination reaction?
When a small group of atoms breaks away froma larger molecule.
What is a substitution reaction?
When one species is replaced by another.
What is a hydrolysis reaction?
Splitting a molecule into two new molecules by adding H+ and OH- derived from water.
What is an oxidation reaction?
Any reaction in which a species loses electrons.
What is a reduction reaction?
Any reaction in which a species gains electrons.
What is a reaction mechanism?
- A diagram used to break reactions down into individual stages to show how substances react together.
- Curly arrows may be used to to show where a pair of electron goes (not with radicals though, usually).
How are curly arrows used in reaction mechanisms?
- Arrow starts at the bond or lone pair where a pair of electrons are at the start of a reaction.
- Arrow points to where the new bond is formed or where the electrons go.
What’s the differene between a reaction and a mechanism?
- Reaction just shows the reactants and products
* Mechanism shows the different stages of a reaction, with the movement of electrons included
Are all ions included in a reaction mechanism?
No, if an ion isn’t directly involve, it may not be included.
What are the different types of reaction mechanism?
- Free radical substitution
- Electrophilic addition
- Nucleophilic substitution
When does free radical substitution happen?
Substitution of halogens into alkanes to make halogenoalkanes.
When does electrophilic addition happen?
- Addition of hydrogen halides to alkenes to make halogenoalkanes.
- Addition of halogens to alkenes to make halogenoalkanes.
When does nucleophilic substitution happen?
- Substitution of primary halogenoalkanes with aqueous potassium hydroxide to make alcohols.
- Substitution of primary halogenoalkanes with ammonia to make amines.
Remember to revise the difference between a reaction and a mechanism.
See diagram about potassium hydroxide on pg 72 of revision guide.
What things must you consider when working out the type of reaction in a given organic reaction?
- First, consider whether it is addition, substitution, etc.
- Then work out whether the reacting species are nucleophiles, electrophiles or free radicals
- Put the two together to give the name
What is a nucleophile?
- Electron pair donor
- Negatively-charged ion or species with a lone pair of electrons
- Like to react with positive ions and positive regions
Give two types of nucleophile.
- Negatively charged ions (e.g. halide ions)
* Species with a lone pair of electrons (e.g. oxygen atoms in water)
What do nucleophiles react with?
- Positive ions
* d+ areas on molecules with polar bonds (e.g. the carbon d+ in carbon-halogen bonds)
Explain simply how nucleophilic substitution works.
- Nucleophiles are attracted to the carbon d+ atom in a polar carbon-halogen bond.
- Carbon-halogen bond breaks and the halogen takes both electrons.
- Nucleophile takes the halogen’s place.
What is an electrophile?
- Electron pair acceptor
- Positively charged ion or d+ areas
- Like to react with negative ions, atoms with lone apirs and the electron-rich area in a C=C bond
Give two types of electrophile.
- Positively charged ions (e.g. H+)
* d+ areas (hydrogen d+ in a hydrogen halide bond)
What do electrophiles react with?
- Negative ions
- Atoms with lone pairs
- Electron-rich area around a C=C bond
Explain simply how electrophilic addition works.
- Molecule with a polar bond (e.g. H-Br) is attracted by its d+ end to a C=C bond in an alkene
- This polarises the H-Br more until it breaks.
- Br receives electrons from the H-Br bond and H receives electrons from the C=C bond.
- This forms a carbocation, which reacts with the negative Br.
What is a radical?
- Species with an unpaired electron.
* They are very reactive.
Give an example of a radical.
Cl•
What do radicals react with?
Everything, regardless of charge.
What is one of the only things that reacts with alkanes and why?
- Radicals
- Because radicals are the only things that attack stable non-polar bonds like C-C and C-H, unlike electrophiles and nucleophiles
Are radical substitution reactions useful for obtaining a pure product?
No, becasue there are lots of possible end reactions, so there is a mixture of products.
What are isomers?
Molecules with the same molecular formula but with differently arranged atoms.
What are the two types of isomers?
- Structural isomers
* Stereoisomers
What are structural isomers?
Molecules with the same molecular formula, but with different structural formulae (a different bonding arrangement among the atoms).
What are the three types of structural isomer?
- Chain isomers
- Positional isomers
- Functional group isomers
(See page 74 of revision guide)
What are chain isomers?
- When the carbon skeleton is arranged differently (in different isomers).
- e.g. Straight chain or branched carbon chains
Compare the chemical and physical properties of chain isomers.
- Similar chemical properties
* Different physical properties -> Due to change in shape of the molecule
What are positional isomers?
- When the skeleton and functional groups are the same, but the functional group is attached to a differernt carbon atom (in different isomers).
- e.g. Butan-1-ol and butan-2-ol
Compare the chemical and physical properties of positional isomers.
- Chemical properties may be different
* Different physical properties
What are functional group isomers?
- When the same atoms are arranged to give different functional groups (in different isomers).
- e.g. Butanoic acid and methylpropanoate
Compare the chemical and physical properties of functional group isomers.
- Different chemical properties
* Different physical properties
What type of isomers are butane and methylpropane?
Chain isomers
See pg 74 of revision guide
What type of isomers are butan-1-ol and butan-2-ol?
Positional isomers
See pg 74 of revision guide
What type of isomers are butanoic acid and methylpropanoate?
Functional group isomers
See pg 74 of revision guide
Remember to revise the different types of structural isomers.
Pg 74 of revision guide.
When looking at structural isomers, what must you be careful of?
Atoms can rotate around C-C bonds, so atoms around a single carbon can be rotated, making it appear as if the two combinations are isomers, when they’re not.
(See diagrams pg 75 of revision guide).
What are alkanes?
- A homologous series of saturated hydrocarbons
* With the general forumla CnH2n+2.
What are hydrocarbons?
Compounds containing only hydrogen and carbon atoms.
What is the formula for cycloalkanes?
CnH2n
NOTE: This is different from normal alkanes.
What is the breaking of a covalent bond to give two species called?
Bond fission
What are the two types of bond fission?
- Homolytic
* Heterolytic
What is heterolytic fission of a single bond?
- When the bond breaks unevenly so that one of the atoms receives both of the bonding pair of electrons, while the other gets none.
- Two different substances formed (e.g. anion and cation)
What is homolytic fission of a single bond?
- When the bond breaks evenly so that each of the atoms receives one electron from the bonding pair
- Two radicals are formed
Give an equation for heterolytic fission.
X-Y -> X+ + Y-
Give an equation for homolytic fission.
X-Y -> X• + Y•
How is the mechanism for heterolytic fission shown?
Double-headed arrow points from the bond to one of the two atoms.
How is the mechanism for homolytic fission shown?
Single-headed arrow points from the bond to each of the two atoms.
What makes radicals reactive?
They have an unpaired electron.
How are radicals shown?
With a • next to the species.
What is free radical substitution in alkanes?
When a hydrogen atom in an alkane is replaced by a halogen radical in the presence of UV light.
What is the name for the reaction of halogens with alkanes?
Photochemical reactions (started by light) -> This has a free radical substitution mechanism.
What are photochemical reactions?
Reactions that are started by light.
What is formed when halogens react with alkanes?
Halogenalkanes.
Under what conditions do halogens react with alkanes and why?
- UV light
* This is needed to produce the radicals for free radical substitution
What type of reaction is the reaction between a halogen and alkane to give a halogenoalkane?
Free radical substitution
Give the equation and reaction type for chlorine reacting with methane.
CH4 + Cl2 —UV—> CH3Cl + HCl
This is free radical substitution.
What are the three stages of free radical substitution?
- Initiation
- Propagation
- Termination
What is the initiation stage of free radical substitution?
- Homolytic fission (of halogen) occurs
* Free radicals are produced
What is the propagation stage of free radical substitution?
- Radicals are used up and created in a chain reaction
* This continues until all of the halogen or alkane are used up
What is the termination stage of free radical substitution?
- Radicals are mopped up by reacting with each other to form stable molecules
- Lots of different possible reactions, since any radical can react with any radical
Give the full mechanism for chlorine reacting with methane in UV light.
INITIATION: 1) Cl2 -> 2Cl• PROPAGATION: 1) Cl• + CH4 -> •CH3 + HCl 2) •CH3 + Cl2 -> CH3Cl + Cl• TERMINATION: 1) Cl• + •CH3 -> CH3Cl 2) •CH3 + •CH3 -> C2H6 3) Other reactins are possible!
In the initiation stage of free radical substitution, what is the breaking of a halogen bond in UV light called?
Photodissociation (this is homolytic fission).
In free radical substitution, how many products are there?
There may be several.
When drawing the mechanismfor free radical substitution, what is it important to remember?
- It isn’t usually drawn with displayed formulae and curly arrows.
- Instead, the equations are just written out (with perhaps the initiation having single-headed arrows).
Remember to practise writing out the mechanism for free radical substitution.
Pgs 76-77 of revision guide.