Unit 17: Organic chemistry and petrochemicals

Unit 17: Organic chemistry and petrochemicals

1. Describe the meaning of homologous series

   • a group of organic compounds having the same general formula and similar chemical properties

2. Describe the general characterisations of a homologous series

   • each homologous series has its own general formula, e.g. general formula for alkanes is CnH2n+2

3. Describe the meaning of functional group

   • A group of atoms that is responsible for the characteristic reactions of a homologous series. It is also an atom or group of atoms that gives an organic compound its particular chemical properties, e.g. functional group of alcohols is -OH.

4. Name and draw the structures of the alkanes

5. Name the type of compound present from the endings -ane, -ene, -ol and -oic acid

   • -ane = alkane
   • -ene = alkene
   • -ol = alcohol
   • -oic acid = carboxylic acid

6. Describe and draw structural isomers

   • Structural isomers are compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulae.

7. Name the compounds formed when fuels burn

   • carbon dioxide and water

8. Name methane as the main constituent of natural gas

   • Methane is the main constituent of natural gas. Natural gas is methane.

9. Describe petroleum as a mixture of hydrocarbons

   • The fossil fuels coal, petroleum (crude oil) and natural gas all contain hydrocarbons.

10. Describe how petroleum is separated into useful fractions by fractional distillation

    • Fractional distillation is used to separate the hydrocarbon molecules in petroleum into groups that have similar boiling points. These groups of molecules are called fractions. Each contains hydrocarbons having a certain range of carbon atoms. Apart from the refinery gases, all these fractions are liquids. Many of these fractions are used as fuels.

11. Name the fractions: refinery gas, gasoline, naphtha, kerosene, diesel, fuel oil

12. Name the residues: lubricating oils and bitumen

    • lubricating oils - used for lubricants, waxes and polishes
    • bitumen - used for making road surfaces and sealing roofs

13. Name the uses of the fractions from petroleum fractionation

    • fuel oil - fuel for power stations , ships and home heating
    • diesel - fuel for lorries and tractors
    • kerosene - fuel for jet aircraft and heating
    • naphtha - making chemicals, especially plastics
    • gasoline - fuel for cars
    • refinery gas - methane, propane, butane for gas cylinders

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