Unit 3: Section 3 - Alkenes and alcohols MDY * Flashcards
Alkenes Addition polymers Alcohols Ethanol production Oxidation of alcohols
what is the general formula of alkenes?
CnH2n
what do all alkenes have?
at least one C=C double covalent bond. they are unsaturated because they can make more bonds with extra atoms in addition reactions.
what makes alkenes reactive?
there are 2 pairs of electrons in the C=C double bond, so it has a high electron density
what happens in an electrophilic addition reaction?
the double bonds in an alkene open up and atoms are added to the carbon atoms
why do electrophilic reactions happen?
because the double bond has got lots of electrons and are easily attacked by electrophiles
what are electrophiles?
electron-pair acceptors, they usually have fewer electrons than usual so they’re attracted to areas with lots
examples of electrophiles:
positively charged ions e.g. H+
polar molecules, the 𝛿+ end is attracted to the electrons
How can you test for alkenes?
using bromine water
what is the test for alkenes with bromine water?
when an alkene is shaken with bromine water the solution goes from orange to colourless.
this is because electrophilic addition occurs and forms colourless dibromoalkanes
which carbocations are more stable?
the more alkyl groups attached the more stable a carbocation is because the alkyl groups feed electrons towards the positive charge.
primary carbocation = least stable
tertiary carbocation = most stable
which carbocations are more stable?
the more alkyl groups attached the more stable a carbocation is because the alkyl groups feed electrons towards the positive charge.
primary carbocation = least stable
tertiary carbocation = most stable
what happens when alkenes react with cold concentrated sulfuric acid?
an electrophilic addition reaction takes place to form alkyl hydrogen sulphates
what happens when the product of the reaction between cold sulfuric acid and an alkene is warmed with water?
an alkyl hydrogen sulfate is formed and is then warmed with water to form an alcohol and the sulfuric acid acts as a catalyst
what are polymers?
long chain molecules formed when lots of small molecules, called monomers join together. they can be natural and synthetic
what are natural polymers?
e.g. DNA and proteins
natural polymers like silk, cotton and rubber have been used for hundreds of years
what are synthetic polymers?
e.g. poly(ethene)
19th century - properties of natural polymers modified, like hardening rubber
20th century - synthetic polymers like nylon and Kevlar invented
what are addition polymers?
polymers formed from alkenes whose double bonds opened up to join together to make long chains. these addition polymers are called polyalkenes
what are polyalkene chains
saturated molecules, where the main carbon chain is non-polar, this makes addition polymers very unreactive
what are polyalkene chains?
saturated molecules, where the main carbon chain is non-polar, this makes addition polymers very unreactive
what properties do polyalkenes have?
they are usually non-polar so the chains are held together by van der Waals
the longer the polymer chains and the closer together they can get the stronger the van der Waals
so polyalkenes made up of long, straight chains tend to be strong and rigid, short branched chains are weaker and more flexible
what does adding a plasticiser to a polymer do?
the plasticiser molecules get between the polymer chains and push them apart. this reduces the strength of intermolecular forces between the chains so they can slide more and are more flexible
what is PVC?
poly(chloroethene), its formed from chloroethene
what properties does PVC have?
long closely packed polymer chains, making it hard and brittle. rigid PVC is used to make drainpipes and window frames
what properties does plasticised PVC have?
its much more flexible than rigid PVC. its used to make electrical cable insulation, flooring tiles and clothing