(Topic 7) Organic Chemistry (CGP Book) Flashcards
What is a hydro carbon?
Any compound formed from carbon and hydrogen atoms only
What is general formula of alkanes?
CnH2n+2
What are alkanes?
- homologous series - a group of organic compounds that react in a similar way
- saturated compounds- each carbon atom forms four single covalent bonds
Formula of methane?
CH4
Formula of ethane?
C2H6
Formula of propane?
C3H8
Formula of butane?
C4H10
Properties of a short carbon chain?
Less gloopy
Lower boiling points
More flammable
Equation for combustion in a hydrocarbon?
Hydrocarbon + oxygen -> carbon dioxide + water
What is oxidised during combustion?
Carbon and hydrogen
Waste products in combustion?
Water and carbon dioxide
Number equation for combustion?
Fuel + _O2 -> _CO2 + _H2O
What is crude oil
- fossil fuel
- formed from plant and animal remains from millions of years ago
- over time high temp and pressure led to formation of crude oil
Process of fractional distillation?
- oil heated until most gas
- gases enter fractionating column
- in column it is hot at bottom and gradually cooler at top
- longer hydrocarbons have higher boiling points so condense back into liquids and drain out of column early on
- shorter hydrocarbons have lower boiling points so condense and drain later on
- crude oil separated into different fractions
Uses of crude oil?
Fuel
Petrochemical industry
What is cracking?
Thermal decomposition reaction (breaking molecules down by heating them)
Process of cracking?
- heat long chain hydrocarbons to vaporise them
- vapour then passed over a hot powered aluminium oxide catalyst
- long chain molecules split apart on the surface of the specks of catalyst
Process of steam cracking?
- Vaporise the hydrocarbons
- Mix them with steam
- Heat them to a high temperature
What are alkenes?
Hydrocarbons that have a double bind between two of the carbon atoms
Why are alkenes reactive?
C=C double bond can open up to make a single bond allowing two of carbon atoms to bond with other atoms
What are first four alkenes?
Ethene, Propene, Butene and pentene
What are first four alkanes?
Methane, ethane, propane, butane
Formula of ethene?
C2H4 with double bond
Formula of propene?
C3H6 with double bond
Formula of butene?
C4H8 with double bond
Formula of pentene?
C5H10 with double bond