NCEA Level 2 Organic Chemistry

Alkanes

A homologous series of saturated hydrocarbons made of C-H and C-C single bonds

Alkenes

A homologous series of unsaturated hydrocarbons containing one C=C double bond

Alkynes

A homologous series of unsaturated hydrocarbons with one C to C triple bond

Haloalkane

An alkane that has had an H substituted for a halogen (eg Br or Cl)

Amine

An alkane where an H has been replaced with an NH₂group

Alcohols

A homologous series of hydrocarbons with an OH group attached

Carboxylic acids

A homologous series of hydrocarbons with an attached COOH group

Which hydrocarbons are water soluble?

Alcohols, Amines, Carboxylic acids

Which hydrocarbons are colourless?

All of them

Which hydrocarbons conduct electricity?

Carboxylic acids and Amines

Which hydrocarbons are acidic (turn litmus red) in solution?

Carboxylic Acids

Which hydrocarbons are basic (turn litmus blue) in solution?

Amines

Primary

The N is joined to only one other carbon (Amines)

The carbon to which the functional group is attached has only one other carbon attached to it

Secondary

The N is joined to two other carbons (Amines)

The carbon to which the functional group is attached has two other carbons attached to it

Tertiary

The N is joined to three other carbons (Amines)

The carbon to which the functional group is attached has three other carbons attached to it

Structural isomer

substances with the same molecular formula but different structural formula

Geometric isomer

substances with the same molecular and structural formula, but a different arrangement of atoms in space due to an unrotatable double bond

Addition of alkenes to form alkanes requires...

H₂ with a platinum catalyst

Addition of alkenes to form dihaloalkane requires...

Br₂ no catalyst (rapid reaction)

Addition of alkenes to form alcohols requires...

H₂O with an acid catalyst

Addition of alkenes to form haloalkane requires...

A Hydrogen Halide (eg HBr, HCl)

Addition polymerisation of alkenes requires...

alkenes, high heat and pressure

Substitution of alkanes to form haloalkanes require...

halogen (eg Br₂)

UV catalyst (slow reaction), hydrogen halide produced also

Substitution reactions of alcohols to form haloalkanes require...

SOCl₂ PCl₃ or PCl₅

Substitution of haloalkanes to form amines require...

alcoholic ammonia (NH3/OH)

Substitution of haloalkanes to form alcohols require...

Aqueous KOH

Oxidation of primary alcohols to form carboxylic acids require...

Acidified potassium permanganate or acidified potassium dichromate (MnO₄⁻/H⁺, Cr₂O₇/H⁺)

Oxidation of Alkenes to form a -diol require...

MnO₄⁻

Elimination of alcohols to form alkenes require...

(removes water) a dehydrating agent such as con. H₂SO₄

Elimination of halides from haloalkanes require...

alcoholic KOH (alcoholic otherwise it will turn into an alcohol rather than an alkene)

Equation of Amine dissolving in water

RNH₂ + H₂O → RNH₃⁺ + OH⁻

Equation of carboxylic acid dissolving in water

RCOOH + H₂O → RCOO⁻ + H⁺

Colour change in bromination of alkenes/alkanes

orange to colourless (fast for alkenes, slow for alkanes)

Colour change in oxidation of alcohols

purple to colourless or orange to green, depending on reagent

Colour change in oxidation of alkenes

purple to colourless

'Rich Get Richer' rule

The double bonded carbon with the most H gets another H

The other gets the functional group (In most cases)

Leads to major and minor products

'Poor Get Poorer' rule

Of the carbons which will become double bonded in the reaction, the one with fewer H attached will have another removed to form the minor product