Alkanes Flashcards
Why does the boiling point of alkanes increase as the carbon chain length increases
As chain length increases , the surface area of the molecule increases so there is a greater surface contact possible between the molecules so there will be greater /stronger London forces and so more energy is needed to overcome them . Additionally number of electrons increases which increases London forces
Why do branched chain alkanes have a lower boiling point than straight chain alkanes
Branched alkanes have fewer surface points of contact between molecules meaning there will be fewer London forces . Also because of the shape of the branched molecule the molecules cannot get as close together or pack closely together whereas straight chain alkanes can . This further decreases the intermolecular forces . The result is less energy will be needed to overcome the forces
What are sigma bonds
Sigma bonds form when electron orbitals from adjacent atoms directly overlap and they contain a pair of electrons
What is the reactivity of the alkanes and why
Alkanes are generally un reactive because of the strong covalent bonds within alkane molecules . Additionally organic reactions occur with the attraction to part of an organic molecule which carries some positive or negative charge . Alkanes don’t have a separation of charge therefore they have a fairly restricted set of reactions
Why do alkanes not have a seperation of charge
Because carbon and hydrogen atoms have a very similar electronegativity so they are non polar molecules
Are the bonds polar in alkanes
The carbon-hydrogen bonds are only very slightly polar so there is no significant amount of positive or negative charge which other things might be attracted to
What are alkanes
Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons , containing only carbon and hydrogen atoms joined together by a single covalent bond
What is the type of covalent bond alkanes have
A sigma bond , which is the result of the overlap of two orbitals one from each bonding atom and both overlapping orbital contains one electron so the o bond has two electrons that are shared between the bonding atoms .
Where is an o bond positioned
An o bond is positioned on a line directly between bonding atoms
How many sigma bonds are there
Each carbon atom in an alkane has 4 sigma bonds (either c-c or c-h)
What is the shape of alkanes and why
Each carbon atom is surrounded by 4 electron pairs in 4 o bonds , repulsion between these electron pairs results in a 3D tetrahedral arrangement around each carbon atom . Each bond angle is 109.5 and the o bonds act as axes around which the atoms can rotate freely , so these shapes are not rigid
How is crude oil separated and how
Separated into fractions by fractional distillation. This is possible because the boiling points of the alkanes are different , increasing as their carbon chain increases
What do the London forces do
The London forces hold the molecules together in solids or liquids but once broken the molecules move apart and the alkane becomes a gas
What is 2 features of sigma bonds
They are fully rotational and strong
Why are alkanes insoluble in water
Because they have no permanent dipole and can’t form hydrogen bonds
