Organic Chemistry Cheat Sheet (Reactions and Conditions)

A set of question-and-answer flashcards covering cracking, combustion, substitution and addition reactions, oxidation, fermentation, reactions of carboxylic acids, and polymerization concepts based on the lecture notes.

What is cracking?

Breaking large hydrocarbons into smaller molecules, typically using high temperature and a catalyst.

Which catalysts and conditions are commonly mentioned for cracking in the notes?

High temperature with a catalyst (examples include Al2O3, SiO2, Ni; UV light; H3PO4 catalyst at around 300°C and 65 atm).

What are the typical products of cracking according to the notes?

Small hydrocarbons and/or hydrogen.

What is incomplete combustion?

Incomplete combustion occurs with insufficient oxygen, producing carbon monoxide (CO) and unburnt carbon (soot).

What is substitution in hydrocarbon chemistry?

Reaction of alkanes with halogens in elemental form to form haloalkanes (e.g., CH4 + Cl2 → CH3Cl + HCl).

What is the example reaction for alkane halogenation given in the notes?

CH4 + Cl2 → CH3Cl + HCl (substitution with chlorine).

What happens when alkenes react with hydrogen (H2)?

Hydrogen adds across the C=C to form alkanes.

What happens when alkenes react with bromine (Br2) in aqueous solution?

Bromine adds across the C=C to form 1,2-dibromoalkanes.

What is hydration of alkenes (steam hydration)?

Addition of steam (H2O) across the C=C to form alcohols.

What is the general product when primary alcohols are oxidized with oxidizing agents in the notes?

Carboxylic acids.

What is fermentation of glucose by yeast?

Yeast ferments glucose at about 37°C under anaerobic, no-light conditions to produce ethanol and carbon dioxide.

What limits the ethanol yield in fermentation according to the notes?

Yeast cannot tolerate ethanol concentrations above about 15%. helps limit yield.

What are the reactions of carboxylic acids with reactive metals?

2 RCOOH + Mg → (RCOO)2Mg + H2 (formation of metal carboxylate and hydrogen gas).

What are the reactions of carboxylic acids with bases (e.g., MgO)?

2 RCOOH + MgO → Mg(RCOO)2 + H2O (formation of a metal carboxylate salt and water).

What are the reactions of carboxylic acids with carbonates?

2 RCOOH + Na2CO3 → 2 RCOONa + CO2 + H2O (salt formation with CO2 release).

Which reagents are commonly used to oxidize alcohols in the notes?

Acidified potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) and acidified potassium permanganate (KMnO4).

What is the oxidation product when a primary alcohol is fully oxidized?

A carboxylic acid.

What are examples of condensation polymers mentioned?

Polyesters (e.g., Terylene) and polyamides (e.g., Nylon).

What is esterification in the context of polymers?

Carboxylic acid reacts with an alcohol to form an ester and water (condensation step in polymer formation).

Name an example of an addition polymer mentioned in the notes.

Poly(ethylene) (polyethylene).

What are two broad types of polymerization highlighted?

Condensation polymerization and addition polymerization.

What is oxidation of an alcohol to a carboxylic acid (general equation)?

R-CH2OH + [O] → R-COOH + H2O (oxidation of a primary alcohol to a carboxylic acid).