Organic Chemistry

• Alkenes are hydrocarbons with a double carbon-carbon bond and are unsaturated because they contain two fewer hydrogen atoms than their alkane counterparts.
• The general formula for alkenes is CnH2n.
• DNA is a natural polymer.
• The DNA structure is important for understanding DNA function.
• Glycine reacts by condensation polymerisation to produce peptides.
• Natural polymers include ethene, propene, butene, and pentene.
• Alkenes react with oxygen in the same way as other hydrocarbons, just with a smoky flame due to incomplete combustion.
• Alkenes also react with hydrogen, water and the halogens.
• The C=C bond allows for the addition of other atoms.
• Alcohols are functional group -OH.
• Methanol, ethanol, propanol and butanol are the first four of the homologous series.
• Alcohols react with sodium, air and water.
• Alcohols and sodium result in bubbling, hydrogen gas given off and salt formed.
• Alcohols and air result in alcohols burning in air, releasing carbon dioxide and water.
• Alcohols and water result in alcohols dissolving in water to form a neutral solution.
• Ethanol is produced from fermentation.
• When sugar solutions are fermented using yeast, aqueous solutions of ethanol are produced.
• The conditions needed for this process include a moderate temperature (25 – 50°C), water (from sugar solution) and an absence of oxygen.
• Carboxylic acids are functional group -COOH.
• Methanoic acid, ethanoic acid, propanoic acid and butanoic acid are the first four of the homologous series.
• Carboxylic acids react with carbonates, water and alcohols.
• Carboxylic acids and carbonates are neutralised by carbonates.
• Carboxylic acids and water dissolve in water.
• Carboxylic acids and alcohols react to form esters.
• Carboxylic acids are weak acids.
• An aqueous solution of a weak acid has a high pH (but still below 7).
• Alkenes are used to make polymers by addition polymerisation.
• Many small molecules join together to form polymers (very large molecules).
• In addition polymers, the repeating unit has the same atoms as the monomer.
• Condensation polymerisation involves monomers with two functional groups when these types of monomers react they join together and usually lose small molecules, such as water.
• Amino acids have two functional groups in a molecule and react by condensation polymerisation to produce peptides.
• Deoxyribonucleic acid is a large molecule essential for life and gives the genetic instructions to ensure development and functioning of living organisms and viruses.
• Most DNA molecules are two polymer chains made from four different monomers, called nucleotides.
• Alcohols have the functional group -OH.
• Methanol, ethanol, propanol and butanol are the first four of the homologous series of alcohols.
• Alkenes are used to make polymers by addition polymerisation.
• Alkenes are hydrocarbons in the functional group C=C.
• Natural polymers include proteins, starch and cellulose and are all important for life.
• When these types of monomers react they join together and usually lose small molecules, such as water.
• Carboxylic acids and carbonates: these acids are neutralised by carbonates.