Alkanes, Haloalkanes, Alcohols and Alkenes Flashcards
(74 cards)
define hydrocarbon
compound which contains hydrogen and carbon atoms only
define saturated hydrocarbon
hydrocarbon which contains only single bonds between compounds
what does the bp of hydrocarbons depend on?
the size of the molecule and any side chains as VDW are the only forces that exist between the molecules so their size and how closely together they pack dictates how strong the IM forces are.
what are alkanes soluble in?
they are insoluble in water but soluble in other non polar liquids such as hexane and cyclopentane.
define fractional distillation
the continual evaporation and condensation of a mixture, causing the components to separate due to differences in bp.
explain the process of fractional distillation
- vaporise mixture
- pass into a fractionating column with a temp gradient (much hotter at the bottom than the top)
- the substances with the highest bps will condense first as they rise up the column, eventually separating the mixture into factions.
what are factions?
a group of compounds with similar bp that are therefore removed at a similar level of a fractionating column.
why are long chain hydrocarbons cracked?
shorter chain hydrocarbons are generally more useful, this means that in order to meet the demand for these, the less useful longer chain hydrocarbons are broken up.
What are the conditions for thermal cracking and what are the main types of products?
Very high temp - 1200K
Very high pressure - 70atm
Product is rich in short chain alkenes
Why is catalytic cracking done in short bursts of high temp and pressure?
To prevent the molecule decomposing completely to produce just C and H.
What are the conditions for catalytic cracking and what are the main types of products?
High temp - 1000K
Low pressure - 2atm
Zeolite catalyst in a honeycomb shape for optimum SA:V ratio
Mainly aromatic compounds and motor fuels
How is CO formed during the combustion of alkanes and why is this bad?
Produced when hydrocarbons are burnt is limited oxygen
Reacts with the haemoglobin in our red blood cells preventing them from carrying oxygen. This will kill you.
How is soot formed during the combustion of alkanes and why is this bad?
Soot is pure C which is formed when hydrocarbons are burnt in very limited oxygen.
It does damage to your lungs and causes global dimming
How is NO and NO2 formed during the combustion of alkanes and why is this bad?
The high temp and pressure cause N from the air to react with oxygen.
This causes acid rain and chemical smog.
How is SO2 formed during the combustion of alkanes and why is this bad?
This is formed when fuels with S impurities are burnt.
It causes acid rain
Describe The Greenhouse Effect
Infrared rays from the sun pass through the atmosphere to the earth and warm it. Some of this is then reflected by the earth back into the atmosphere. However, it is prevented from passing out into space by atmospheric gasses such as water vapour and CO2. This further warms the atmosphere and is causing the earth to become hotter. This naturally occurs but is being accelerated by the emission of greenhouse gasses from earth.
How does SO2 react with water vapour to cause acid rain?
SO2 + H2O +1/2O2 -> H2SO4
What is petrochemical smog?
toxic gasses and minature particles suspended in the air close to the surface of earth.
How do catalytic converters work (in words)?
Platinum and rhodium catalysts are spread very thinly over a honeycomb structure. They catalyse the reaction of toxic exhaust gasses together to form less toxic gasses.
What are the catalytic converter equations?
2NO + 2CO -> 2CO2 + N2
C8H18 + 25NO -> 8CO2 + 12.5 N2 + 9H2O
What happens in flue gas desulfurisation (in words)?
The gasses are passed through a wet semisolid slurry containing calcium oxide and calcium carbonate. These are bases and so neutralise the acidic SO2 to form calcium sulphate which is useful in the building industry.
Flue gas desulfurisation equations
CaO + SO2 -> CaSO3
CaCO3 + SO2 -> CaSO3 + CO2
CaSO3 + [O] -> CaSO4
What is the bp of haloalkanes influences by?
- Halogen atom - fluorine is much more electronegative than iodine and so the C-F bond is more polar. This means that any permanent dipole dipole forces are stronger.
- Size - as the length of the carbon chain increases, the VDW forces increase.
What are halogenoalkanes soluble in?
Organic solvents but NOT water.