Hydrocarbons

Flashcards reviewing hydrocarbons, homologous series, alkanes, alkenes, isomers, and saturated vs unsaturated compounds.

Homologous series

A family of compounds with the same general formula and similar chemical properties due to the presence of the same functional group.

Organic compounds

Compounds that contain carbon atoms covalently bonded to atoms of other elements, usually hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, or chlorine.

Alkanes

A homologous series of hydrocarbons with the formula CnH2n+2.

Alkanes

Hydrocarbons that contain only carbon–carbon single covalent bonds.

Combustion (Alkanes)

Alkanes burn in excess oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water.

Substitution (Alkanes)

More hydrogen atoms can be replaced with chlorine atoms.

Alkenes

A homologous series of hydrocarbons with the formula CnH2n.

Alkenes

Hydrocarbons that contain only carbon–carbon double (C=C) bonds.

Combustion (Alkenes)

Alkenes burn in excess oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water, but are more likely to undergo incomplete combustion and burn with a sootier flame than alkanes.

Addition Reactions (Alkenes)

The C=C bonds break to form new single bonds. Reactants that cane added across the C=C bond include hydrogen, bromine and steam.

Cracking

Performed after fractional distillation to convert long chained hydrocarbons to short chained hydrocarbons, using a catalyst such as aluminium dioxide (Al2O3) or silicon dioxide (SiO2).

Isomers

Two or more organic compounds with the same molecular formula with different structural formula (different arrangements of atoms in their molecules)

Property of Isomers

Isomers have different physical properties such as melting and boiling points.

Saturated Compounds (e.g. alkanes)

Contain single covalent bonds between the carbon atoms.

Unsaturated Compounds (e.g. alkenes)

Contain double covalent bonds between the carbon atoms.

Aqueous bromine with unsaturated hydrocarbons

Bromine solution turns from brown to colourless.

Polyunsaturated fats

Fats contain hydrocarbon chains with two or more C = C bonds in each chain.