4.7 Organic chemistry Flashcards
(26 cards)
What is organic chemistry?
Organic chemistry is the study of carbon-containing compounds, particularly those with carbon-hydrogen bonds.
What are hydrocarbons?
Hydrocarbons are compounds made up of only hydrogen and carbon atoms.
What are alkanes?
Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons with single bonds between carbon atoms (e.g., methane, ethane).
What are alkenes?
Alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons with at least one double bond between carbon atoms (e.g., ethene, propene).
What is the general formula for alkanes?
CₙH₂ₙ₊₂.
What is the general formula for alkenes?
CₙH₂ₙ.
What is the difference between alkanes and alkenes?
Alkanes are saturated (single bonds), while alkenes are unsaturated (contain at least one double bond).
What is cracking?
Cracking is the process of breaking down large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller ones, often using heat or a catalyst.
What is polymerization?
Polymerization is the process of joining small molecules (monomers) to form a large polymer.
What are addition polymers?
Polymers made by joining monomers that contain double bonds (e.g., polyethylene, PVC).
What are condensation polymers?
Polymers formed by the joining of monomers with the elimination of small molecules like water (e.g., nylon, polyester).
What are alcohols?
Alcohols are organic compounds containing a hydroxyl group (-OH), such as ethanol.
What is fermentation?
Fermentation is the process in which sugars are converted into alcohol and carbon dioxide by yeast (used to make alcoholic drinks).
What are carboxylic acids?
Carboxylic acids are organic acids containing a carboxyl group (-COOH), such as acetic acid (vinegar).
What is an ester?
Esters are compounds formed from a reaction between a carboxylic acid and an alcohol (e.g., ethyl acetate).
What are functional groups?
Functional groups are specific groups of atoms in organic molecules responsible for the characteristic reactions of those molecules (e.g., -OH, -COOH).
What is crude oil?
A mixture of hydrocarbons that is a finite resource, formed from the remains of marine organisms buried millions of years ago.
What is the main method used to separate crude oil?
Fractional distillation, which separates hydrocarbons based on their boiling points.
How does fractional distillation work?
Crude oil is heated, and the vapours rise through a column; hydrocarbons condense at different heights depending on their boiling points.
What are the products of fractional distillation used for?
Fuels (e.g., petrol, diesel, kerosene) and feedstock for the petrochemical industry (e.g., plastics, detergents).
What are the first four alkanes?
Methane (CH₄), ethane (C₂H₆), propane (C₃H₈), butane (C₄H₁₀).
What are the first 4 alkenes?
Ethene (C₂H₄), Propene (C₃H₆), Butene (C₄H₈), Pentene (C₅H₁₀)
How do alkenes react compared to alkanes?
Alkenes react more readily due to their double bond, which can be broken to form new bonds in addition reactions.
What are the products of cracking?
Short-chain alkanes (used for fuels) and alkenes (used in the production of plastics and other chemicals).
