Alcohols/Carboxylic Acids/Esters/Synthetic Polymers

Question 1

What are alcohols?

Answer 1

Their -ol in their name shows that there is an -OH functional group in the organic compound.
If there is a diol in their name, there are 2 -OH groups present.

Question 2

Oxidation of Alcohols

Answer 2

Alcohols burn in oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water.
C2H5OH + 3O2 -> 2CO2 + 3H2O (ethanol)

Question 3

Production of Ethanol

Answer 3

1. Yeast added to sugar solution left in warm anaerobic conditions for several days. Enzymes in the yeast convert the sugar into ethanol and carbon dioxide, known as fermentation.
2. Reacting ethene with steam, known as hydration.

Question 4

What are carboxylic acids?

Answer 4

They are weak acids with a pH of 3-5. They turn blue litmus paper red. Their functional group is -COOH.

Question 5

Reactions with Metals & Carbonates

Answer 5

1. metals + acids -> salt + H2
2. carbonates + acids -> salt + CO2 + H2O

Question 6

What are esters?

Answer 6

They are organic compounds formed by an alcohol + a carboxylic acid. Their functional group is -COO-.

Question 7

How Esters are made

Answer 7

Heat a mixture of ethanoic acid and ethanol with a few drops of concentrated sulfuric acid produces a liquid of ethyl ethanoate, known as esterification

Question 8

How do you draw/name esters?

Question 9

What is polymerisation?

Answer 9

Polymerisation is lots of monomers joining up to make one polymer.

Question 10

What is addition polymerisation?

Answer 10

Many monomer molecules combining to make a chain of the same molecule. For example, ethene molecule joining together to make polyethene.

Question 11

What is condensation polymerisation?

Answer 11

Two monomers joining together alternately. Each time they combine a small molecule (such as water or hydrogen chloride) is lost.

Question 12

Disposal of Addition Polymers

Answer 12

1. Landfill
2. Incineration