Basic Organics

Question 1

What is a Functional Group?

Answer 1

The group of atoms that is responsible for the characteristic reactions of a molecule

Question 2

What is a General Formula?

Answer 2

Algabraic form of a homologous series e.g. CnH2n+2 for alkanes

Question 3

What is a Homologous Series?

Answer 3

A Family of coumpounds with the same general formuka and similar chemical properties

Question 4

What is a Structural Formula?

Answer 4

A Compound shown carbon by carbon with side groups listed in between
e.g. butane: CH3CH2CH2CH3

Question 5

What is a Displayed Formula?

Answer 5

A Compound shown by drawing every bond between every atom in the complete structure

Question 6

What is a Skeletal Formula?

Answer 6

A Compound shown without hydrogens and carbons, instead being represented by the corners of the chain, with extra side groups being draw in full

Question 7

What are Aromatic Compounds?

Answer 7

An organic compound that contains a benzene ring

Question 8

What are Alicyclic Compounds?

Answer 8

An organic compound that contains carbon and hydrogen joined together in a non-aromatic ring

Question 9

What are Alkyl Groups?

Answer 9

A hydrocarbon fragment with the general formula: CnH2n+1

Question 10

What are Saturated Compounds?

Answer 10

Compounds that only have single bonds in the structure

Question 11

What are Unsaturated Compounds?

Answer 11

Compounds that have a double or tripple bond in the structure allowing it to react

Question 12

What is Homolytic Fission?

Answer 12

When a covalent bond is broken between 2 atoms and 1 electron from the bond goes to each atom

Question 13

What is Heterolytic Fission?

Answer 13

When a covalent bond is broken between 2 atoms and the electron pair goes to one of the atoms

Question 14

What is a Radical?

Answer 14

An atom at least 1 unpaired electron in its outer shell, making it very reactive

Question 15

What is a Isomer?

Answer 15

A Compound with the same molecular formula, but different structural formula

Question 16

What is a Sterioisomer?

Answer 16

A Compound with the same molecular formula and structural formula, but different arrangment of atoms. Typically seen in alkenes due to the C=C

Question 17

What is an electrophile?

Answer 17

Any particle that can accept an electron pair

Question 18

What are all of the functional groups and their names?

Answer 18

-X where X is a halogen: Haloalkanes
-OH: alcohol
C=C: alkene
-CHO: aldehyde
CO (in the middle of a compound): keytone
-COOH: Carboxylic acid

Question 19

Why do alkane boiling points increase as they get longer?

Answer 19

Longer chains have more points of contact with surrounding molecules, increasing the energy required to overcome the london forces between molecules, increasing boiling point.

Question 20

Why does an isomer of an alkane that has more alkyl groups have a lower boiling point?

Answer 20

More alkyl groups cause fewer points of contact with surround molecules, leading to less energy required to overcome weaker london forces, decreasing the boiling point.

Question 21

What reaction do alkanes do?

Answer 21

Combustion

Question 22

What reactions can alkenes do?

Answer 22

Addition reactions
Combustion

Question 23

What is the difference between a Sigma bond and Pi bond?

Answer 23

Sigma bonds have direct overlap of orbitals between the two bonded atoms.
Pi bonds have overlap above and below the plane of the atoms
Pi bonds are weaker than Sigma bonds

Question 24

Why is a C=C not twice the strength of C-C?

Answer 24

C-C has a Sigma bond
C=C has a Sigma bond and a Pi bond
Pi bonds are weaker than Sigma bonds, therefore C=C is not twice the energy to overcome than a C-C

Question 25

What is E-Z isomerism?

Answer 25

When both Carbons in a C=C have 2 different groups bonded to them With E being that the different groups are on opposite sides And Z being on the same side

Question 26

What is Cahn-Ingold-Prelog rules?

Answer 26

States what is considered to be the "different group" when writing E-Z isomerism There are two rules: 1. Rank bonded atoms by atomic number, highest atomic number takes priority 2. If they are the same atomic number, continue down the chain until one chain has a higher atomic number than the other e.g. CH2CH3 has a higher priority than CH3 due to C>H on the second bond of the chains

Question 27

State and Outline what is the mechanism for methane reacting with chlorine?

Answer 27

Radical Substitution 3 Stages: Intiation: Cl2 -(UV light)> Cl* + Cl* Propagation: CH4 + Cl* -> CH3* + HCl CH3* + Cl2 -> CH3Cl + Cl* Termination: CH3* + Cl* -> CH3Cl Cl* + Cl* -> Cl2 this reaction can further continue on the products making even more halogenated methanes

Question 28

State and Outline the machanism for alkene addition reactions?

Answer 28

Electrophilic Addition (DO THIS VIA DRAWING DIAGRAMS) Electrophile approaches the alkene, and becomes polarized due to the region of high electron density at the C=C The delta positive atom bonds to one of the carbons, leaving a carbocation and a negatively charged atom The negativly charged atom and carbocation attract each other and bond forming the product

Question 29

What is Markovnikov's rule?

Answer 29

States what products are most likely to form when an unsymetrical alkene is undergoing an addition reaction. Hydrogen's are more likely to go to the carbon with more hydrogens bonded to it, known as the major isomer

Question 30

Why is Markovnikov's rule true?

Answer 30

Carbocations with more alkyl groups are more stable, due to the bonding pair of electrons being in the middle of the carbons, they can be pulled closer to the carbocation increasing its stability.

Question 31

What is polymerisation?

Answer 31

When monomers join together to create an n length polymer

Question 32

What type of polymerisation do alkenes undergo?

Answer 32

Addition polymerisation

Question 33

What is the repeating unit of a polymer?

Answer 33

The monomer that forms it

Question 34

What is Cis-Trans Isomerism?

Answer 34

If both C=C carbons have a hydrogen and another group, it can be classed as Cis-Trans isomerism. Cis being the hydrogen on the same side, Trans being the hydogen on different sides