free radicals
atoms or groups of atoms which have a single unpaired electron.
How are free radicals formed?
when a bond splits easily by homolytic fission
What happens when alkanes under go free-radical substitution?
a hydrogen atom gets substituted by a halogen using UV
How do you draw mechanisms?
use half arrows
Homologous series
A series of organic compounds that have the same functional group but with each successive member differing by CH2
Functional group
A group of atoms responsible for the characteristic reactions of a compound
General formula for Alkanes
CnH2n+2
General formula for Alkenes
CnH2n
Saturated
only single bonds
Unsaturated
at least one double carbon bond
Addition
the reactants combine to form a single product
Substitution
one functional group is replaced by a different functional group
Oxidation
A species looses atleast one electron and is oxidised
Reduction
A species gains atleast one electron and is reduced
Polymerisation
A reaction in which many monomers join to form a polymer
Displayed formulae
shows every atom and bond seperately
Structural formulae
groups all the atoms joined to a particular carbon atom together
skeletal formula
A zig-zag line that only shows the bonds between carbon atoms
Molecular formulae
only shows the number of each type of atom in a molecule but not its structure
Empirical formulae
shows its molecular formula in its simplest ratio
Structural isomerism
same molecular formula, different structural formulae
Chain isomerism
molecules with different carbon chains
Position isomerism
molecules with the same functional group attached in different positions in the same carbon chain
Stereo isomers
same molecular formula and structural formula but different arrangements
Geometric isomers
Cis or trans or E/Z
Meth
1C
eth
2C
prop
3C
but
4C
pent
5C
hex
6C
Bio fuels
Fuels obtained from living matter that has died recently
Carbon neutrality
no carbon dioxide released
Biodiesel
found in vegetable oils
Bio alcohols
most common is bioethanol
Points to compare fuels
Land use, Yield, manufacturing and transport and carbon neutrality
Substitution reactions; formation of chloromethane
CH4 + Cl2 — CH3Cl +HCl
Substitution reactions; the formation of dichloromethane
CH3Cl + Cl2 — CH2Cl + HCl
Substitution reactions; the formation of trichloromethane
CH2Cl2 + Cl2 — CHCl3 + HCl
Substitution reactions; the formation of tetrachloromethane
CHCl3 + CCl4 + HCl
Chemical tests for a C=C bond formula (Addition of alkenes)
C2H4 + Br — C3H4Br
How do you test for a C=C bond?
Add bromine
Results for a colourless C=C bond test with bromine?
colourless if positive
Hydrogenation
an addition reaction in which hydrogen is added to an alkane
How does hydrogenation take place?
using nickel as a catalyst and heat
How is margarine formed?
unsaturated vegetable oils react with hydrogen to from a solid
What is the product of halogenation?
halogenoalkanes
Hydration
adding water
How is hydration done?
By adding steam and passing the mixture over a catalyst
What is the product of the addition of hydrogen halides
halogen alkane
Formula for addition of halogen halides
CH2=CH2 + H-Br — CH3 - CH3Br
How are alkanes converted into more helpful smaller hydrocarbons?
Fractional distillation, cracking and reforming
Fractional distillation
A process that relies on differences in the boiling temperature of the different hydrocarbons in crude oil
What is the trend boiling temperature in fractional distillation
longer chain and larger molecules = higher boiling temperature
What is the process of Fractional distillation?
Crude oil is heated in a furnace which turns it into vapour which is then passed through a series of bubble caps
What does Cracking do?
converts longer alkane chains into smaller hydrocarbon chains