Chapter 7 and 8 organic chemistry

Addition reaction

a reaction in which one molecule combines with another molecule to form a larger molecule

Alkane

hydrocarbon that contains only single carbon to carbon bonds

Alkene

hydrocarbon with at least one double carbon to carbon bond

Carbon chain

linear set of carbon atoms in a hydrocarbon

Homologous series

series of hydrocarbons that have a similar chemical structure and chemical properties

Hydrocarbon

compound consisting of hydrogen and carbon only

Organic compounds

compounds consisting of carbon atoms most commonly covalently bonded to hydrogen

Saturated hydrocarbon

a hydrocarbon possessing only single bonds between carbon atoms

Substitution reaction

one atom or group of atoms replacing a part of another molecule

Unsaturated hydrocarbon

a hydrocarbon possessing at least one double bond between carbon atoms

Alkyl group

a side-chain attached to the parent carbon chain

Nomenclature

system developed in order to identify organic compounds

Parent chain

longest continuous chain of carbon-carbon bonds

Parent name

component of systematic name that refers to the length of the parent chain

Structural isomers

isomers that have the same molecular formula but the atoms are arranged in a different spatial arrangement

Systematic name

standardised name used to identify organic compounds

Alcohol

organic compound that has a hydroxyl (–OH) group bonded to a carbon atom in the parent chain

Carboxylic acid

organic compound that contains a carboxyl functional group (–COOH)

Carboxyl group

functional group that has a carbon double bonded to an oxygen and singly bonded to a hydroxyl group

Functional group

specific groups of atoms within a compound that affect the properties of the compound

Haloalkane

organic compound that has one or more halogen atom bonded to a carbon atom in the carbon chain

Halogen

element in group 17 of the periodic table (fluorine

Hydroxyl group

functional group consisting of an oxygen atom covalently bonded to a hydrogen atom (–OH)

Biomass

any organic material made of plant or animal matter

Crude oil

mixture of differently sized hydrocarbons found in underground deposits and used as a resource

Fossil fuel

hydrocarbon-containing material formed in the Earth’s crust from plant and animal remains

Non-renewable

unable to be naturally replenished

Organic chemical

any compound that contains carbon-carbon and/or carbon-hydrogen bonds

Petrochemical

derived from crude oil

Renewable

comes from sources that naturally renew themselves at a rate that allows them not to become depleted

Sustainable

can be produced at a rate that is greater than consumption without compromising future generations

Synthesise

produce a chemical through reaction with other compounds

Synthetic

produced artificially by humans using chemical reactions

Adhesivity  

property of being sticky

Bioaccumulation

phenomenon of increasing contaminant concentration in an organism over time.

Biomagnification 

phenomenon of higher contaminant concentration in organisms higher in the food chain.

Carcinogenic 

having the potential to cause cancer.

Food chain

a series of organisms each dependent on the next as a source of food.

Inertness 

property of being unreactive

Inhalant 

chemical whose vapours can be concentrated and breathed in to produce intoxication, contrary to its intended usage

Microbeads 

manufactured microplastics less than 1 mm in length used in exfoliating products and toothpastes.

Microplastics 

polluting fragments of plastic less than 5 mm in length

Ozone layer 

layer within stratosphere with high concentration of ozone (O3) that absorbs UV radiation.

Solvent 

substance that dissolves another substance.

Stratosphere 

layer of earth’s atmosphere 20–50km above sea level

Addition polymerisation 

chemical reaction between monomers resulting in the formation of a polymer.

Alkene 

hydrocarbon with at least one double carbon to carbon bond.

Alkyne 

hydrocarbon with at least one triple carbon to carbon bond.

Condensation polymerisation 

chemical reaction between monomers resulting in the formation of a polymer and water or other small molecule.

Cross-link 

covalent bond between polymer chains

Cross-linked (thermosetting) polymer  

polymer containing cross-links that degrades or chars when heated.

Elastomer 

polymer that forms occasional cross-links and is elastic.

Functional group 

specific groups of atoms within a compound that affect the properties of the compound.

High density polyethene (HDPE)  

tightly packed polymer produced at low pressures.

Linear (thermoplastic) polymer 

polymer with no cross-links that can be remoulded when heated

Low density polyethene (LDPE) 

branched polymer produced at high pressures

Monomer 

molecule that can react with other molecules to form larger molecules (polymers)

Plastic  

molecule produced synthetically from monomers bonded together.

Biodegradable  

able to decompose naturally by biological processes, reducing environmental impact.

Bioplastics 

plastics produced from biomass.

Carbon negative 

describes a process that absorbs more carbon dioxide than it produces.

Chemolysis  

the use of solely chemical substances to decompose organic substances into simpler ones.

Circular economy 

a continuous cycle that focuses on the optimal use and re-use of resources from the extraction of raw materials through to production of new materials, followed by the consumption and re-purposing of unused and waste materials.

Compostable 

describes a polymer that can be at least 90% decomposed after 180 days in a composting environment.

Dehydrate 

to remove H2O from a molecule or ion

Dehydrogenate 

to remove a hydrogen atom or atoms from a molecule or ion.

Linear economy

 operates on a ‘take-make-dispose’ model, making use of resources to produce products that will be discarded after use.

Plastic dissolution 

dissolving plastic to extract polymers and separate them from their additives.

Pyrolysis  

decomposition brought about by high temperatures.

Steam cracking 

the breaking down of larger saturated hydrocarbons into smaller, often unsaturated ones.

Condensation polymerisation  

chemical reaction between monomers resulting in the formation of a polymer and water or other small molecule.

Hydrolysis 

reaction involving the cleavage of bonds using water to break up polymers into monomers.

Innovation

 introduction of new methods, procedures, or products to traditional industries.