Organic Chemistry Flashcards
Where is Crude oil found?
> Found in rocks
They were formed over millions of years from the remains of plankton.
What is crude oil?
> A Mixture of Hydrocarbons
What is a Hydrocarbon
> Molecules made from only Hydrogen and carbon
What is the general formula for Alkanes?
Cn H2n+2
What are the first 4 alkanes?
> Methane
Ethane
Propane
Butane
What are Alkanes?
> They are saturated molecules as the ‘C’ atoms are full bonded with the ‘H’ atoms.
What is Viscosity?
> The thickness of a fluid
What is Flammability?
> How easily it burns
What Happens during combustion?
> Hydrocarbon atoms are oxidised
What is formula for Complete combustion?
Methane + Oxygen»_space; Carbon Dioxide + Water
What is formula for Incomplete combustion?
Methane + Oxygen»_space; Carbon Monoxide + Carbon + Water
Explain how alkenes are produced using fractional distillation followed by cracking.
> Fractional distillation:
* oil heated / boiled / vaporised
* fractionating column used
* fractions have different boiling ranges / temperatures
* column hotter at bottom
or
column cooler at top
* fractions condense at different levels
* heavy fractions collect at bottom
or
light fractions collect at top
> Cracking:
* high temperature
* catalyst or steam
* large molecules split into small molecules
* mixture of alkanes and alkenes produced
What is Catalytic Cracking?
> Using high temperature and a catalyst.
What is steam cracking?
> We use high temperature and steam
