As Topic 5 Notes - Alkanes

Topic 5a Introduction to Organic Chemistry
Revision Notes
1)
Formulae
Be able to recognise and use the different ways of showing organic compounds:
Molecular formula is the actual number of atoms of each element in a

molecule e.g. C2H6O for ethanol
Empirical formula is the simplest whole number ratio of the atoms of
each element in a molecule e.g. CH2 for ethene (from molecular formula
C2H4 2)
General formula is the simplest algebraic formula for a member of a
homologous series e.g. CnH2n+2 for alkanes
Structural formula is the minimum detail that shows the arrangement of
the atoms in a molecule e.g. CH3CH2OH for ethanol
Displayed formula shows the relative positioning of atoms and the bonds
between them e.g. for ethanol:
All bonds should be shown. Do not put OH for the alcohol group
2)
Functional groups and naming organic compounds
Be able to recognise and use the following terms:
A homologous series is a series of organic compounds having the same

functional group with successive members differing by CH2
Alkanes, alkenes, alcohols and halogenoalkanes are all homologous series
A functional group is a group of atoms responsible for the characteristic
reactions of a compound e.g. C=C for alkenes and OH for alcohols
The rules for naming organic compounds were devised by IUPAC (International
Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry). They are as follows.
1) The functional group gives the ending of the name e.g. ol for an
alcohol
2) The number of carbons gives the first part of the name e.g. prop- or
propan- for 3 carbons
3) Number the carbon chain to give the functional group carbon the
lowest number
4) Any side chains (branches) or halogens go at the front of the name with
commas between numbers and dashes between numbers and words
e.g. 2,2-dimethylhexane
5) With more than 1 side chain or halogen, use alphabetical order e.g. 1bromo-2-methylbutane
3)
Structural isomers
Structural isomers have the same molecular formula but different

structural formulae
There are 3 types of structural isomers: chain, position and functional
group
Position isomers differ in the location of the functional group e.g.
1-bromobutane
Chain isomers have different arrangements of the carbon chain e.g.
Pentane
2-bromobutane
2-methylbutane
A molecular formula can be common to compounds from different families.

These are functional group isomers e.g.
C3H6O can be either propanal, CH3CH2CHO, or propanone, CH3COCH3
o
C3H6 can be either propene or cyclopropane
o
C3H6O2 can be propanoic acid, methyl ethanoate or ethyl methanoate
o
C2H6O can be either ethanol or methoxymethane, CH3OCH3 (an ether)
o
For CHEM1, the only pair of functional group isomers needed is
alkenes and cyclic alkanes (both of which have general formula
CnH2n)
Topic 6b Alkanes
Revision Notes
1)
General
Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons with general formula CnH2n+2
Saturated = only single C-C bonds
Hydrocarbon = contains C and H only
Alkane molecules are non-polar so the only intermolecular forces are Van
der Waals forces
2)
Boiling points
Boiling point increases with chain length more electrons, more Van der
Waals forces between molecules
Boiling point decreases as branching increases branched alkanes have
less surface area in contact so intermolecular forces are weaker (or
straighter chains can pack closer, more Van der Waals forces between
molecules)
The first four alkanes are gases and are used as fuels (methane for
domestic heating and cooking, propane as LPG and in canisters for
camping/caravanning, butane for cigarette lighters and in canisters)
Petrol consists of liquid alkanes with between 5 and 8 carbons
3)
Fractional Distillation
4)
Crude oil (petroleum) is a mixture of many compounds, most of which are

alkanes
Crude oil is separated into fractions, many of which can be used directly as
fuels
The separation process is called fractional distillation. This involves:
o Separation is based on the different boiling points of alkanes
o The boiling points of alkanes depend on the size of the molecule
(and strength of Van der Waals forces)
o Vaporised crude oil is fed into a column that is hot at the bottom
and cool at the top
o Smaller molecules with lower boiling points come out at the top of
the column. Larger molecules with higher boiling points come out at
the bottom
Cracking
Crude oil contains more long chain alkanes than are needed. Cracking
breaks these alkanes down into products for which there is higher
demand
Cracking involves the breaking of C-C bonds in alkanes and this
requires a high temperature
Example:
C10H22 C8H18 + C2H4
Decane octane ethene
5)
Thermal cracking gives a high proportion of alkenes. It needs a high

temperature (400-900C) and a high pressure (7000 kPa)
The alkenes from thermal cracking are used to make polymers and
alcohols
Catalytic cracking produces motor fuels and aromatic hydrocarbons. It
needs a zeolite catalyst, a high temperature (450C) and a slight
pressure
Combustion
a)
Introduction
Complete combustion requires a plentiful supply of oxygen e.g.
C5H12 + 8O2 5CO2 + 6H2O
Combustion of fossil fuels, including alkanes, results in the release of

carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
In a limited supply of air, incomplete combustion occurs forming CO or
C (soot)
C5H12 + 5.5O2
5CO + 6H2O
C5H12 + 3O2 5C + 6H2O
b)
Incomplete combustion wastes petrol meaning more fuel is needed

Catalytic converters
The pollutants produced by car engines include carbon, C, carbon
monoxide, CO, sulphur dioxide, SO2, oxides of nitrogen, NOx and
unburnt hydrocarbons
Carbon monoxide and carbon come from the incomplete combustion of
the hydrocarbons in petrol and are toxic. Carbon is also a respiratory
irritant
Sulphur dioxide is produced when traces of sulphur in the fuel react
with oxygen. SO2 causes acid rain
Oxides of nitrogen are produced when oxygen and nitrogen from the air
react together due to the very high temperatures reached inside car
engines. NO2 is toxic, triggers asthma attacks and forms HNO3 (i.e. acid
rain) when it reacts with water and oxygen
Small amounts of hydrocarbons pass straight through a car engine
without being burnt
Catalytic converters consist of a honeycomb of ceramic material coated
with platinum, palladium or rhodium (Pt/Pd/Rh)
The honeycomb produces a large surface area on which reactions can
occur
Catalytic converters reduce the emission of CO and NO by allowing

them to react together to make harmless products
2CO(g) + 2NO(g) 2CO2(g) + N2(g)
c)
d)
Global Warming
In the troposphere (lowest level of the atmosphere), various gases
absorb infrared radiation and keep the atmosphere warm
Infrared radiation is absorbed by C=O bonds in CO2, O-H bonds in H2O
and C-H bonds in methane. The absorbed energy makes the bonds
vibrate
Increased concentrations of greenhouse gases, like CO2, may
contribute to global warming because of the increased absorption of IR
radiation
Acid Rain
Combustion of fuels containing sulphur produces sulphur dioxide
Acid rain is formed when SO2 dissolves in water
SO2, which is acidic, can be removed from flue gases using CaO, which
is a base. This is a neutralisation reaction.
SO2 + CaO CaSO3

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Topic 5a Introduction to Organic Chemistry

Molecular formula is the actual number of atoms of each element in a

Functional groups and naming organic compounds

Be able to recognise and use the following terms:

A homologous series is a series of organic compounds having the same

Structural isomers have the same molecular formula but different

Chain isomers have different arrangements of the carbon chain e.g.

A molecular formula can be common to compounds from different families.

Crude oil (petroleum) is a mixture of many compounds, most of which are

Thermal cracking gives a high proportion of alkenes. It needs a high

Combustion of fossil fuels, including alkanes, results in the release of

Incomplete combustion wastes petrol meaning more fuel is needed

Catalytic converters reduce the emission of CO and NO by allowing

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