C3 Organic Chemistry Flashcards
What is an homologous series?
The compounds with the same functional group are arranged in order of carbon chain length.
Name the first three members of the alcohol homologous series? How do their names give them away?
Methanol, ethanol and propanol, their names all end in -ol
What is the functional group in an alcohol?
Alcohols contain the functional group –OH
What are the uses of alcohols generally?
They are used as fuels and solvents.
Give two specific food related uses of ethanol.
Ethanol is the main alcohol in alcoholic drinks. Ethanol can be oxidised to ethanoic acid, either by chemical oxidising agents or by microbial action. Ethanoic acid is the main acid in vinegar.
Why are they weak acids?
They do not ionise completely when dissolved in water and so are weak acids
What are the uses of esters?
They are used as flavourings and perfumes.
What is ethyl ethanoate?
Ethyl ethanoate is the ester produced from ethanol and ethanoic acid.
