Course Syllabus

Course Syllabus

In this section of the course we will be looking at organic chemistry which is the scientific study of the structure, properties, and reactions of carbon based compounds called organic compounds. The number of organic compounds possible is infinite and they not only valuable to mankind but to life on earth as a whole. This is why it is important to understand them from the stand point of chemistry.

Here are the objectives we are going to pursue for this section of our chemistry.

Candidates should be able to:

11.0 The chemistry of carbon

a)   describe the uniqueness of carbon;

b)   describe a homologous series as a group of compounds with a general formula, similar chemical properties and showing a gradation in physical properties as a result of increase in the size and mass of the molecules, e.g. melting and boiling points; viscosity; flammability

d)   write the formulae of organic compounds;

e)   name organic compounds

f)    explain structural isomerism;

 

11.1 Alkanes

a)   describe the alkanes as a homologous series of saturated hydrocarbons with the general formula C_nH_{2n + 2}

c)   *draw the structures of branched and unbranched alkanes, C1 to C4 and name the unbranched alkanes, methane to butane

e)   define isomerism and identify isomers

f)    describe the properties of alkanes (exemplified by methane) as being generally unreactive except in terms of burning and substitution by chlorine

 

11.2 Alkenes

a)   describe the alkenes as a homologous series of unsaturated hydrocarbons with the general formula C_nH_2n

b)   *draw the structures of branched and unbranched alkenes, C2 to C4 and name the unbranched alkenes, ethene to butene

d)   describe the manufacture of alkenes and hydrogen by cracking hydrocarbons and recognise that cracking is essential to match the demand for fractions containing smaller molecules from the refinery

f)    describe the difference between saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons from their molecular

g)   structures and by using aqueous bromine

h)   describe the properties of alkenes in terms of combustion, polymerisation and their addition reactions with bromine, steam and hydrogen

j)    state the meaning of polyunsaturated when applied to food products

k)   describe the manufacture of margarine by the addition of hydrogen to unsaturated vegetable oils to form a solid product

 

11.3 Alcohols

a)   describe the alcohols as a homologous series containing the –OH group

b)   *draw the structures of alcohols, C1 to C4 and name the unbranched alcohols, methanol to butanol

c)   describe the properties of alcohols in terms of combustion and oxidation to carboxylic acids

d)   describe the formation of ethanol by the catalysed addition of steam to ethene and by fermentation of glucose

f)    state some uses of ethanol, e.g. as a solvent; as a renewable fuel; as a constituent of alcoholic beverages

 

11.4 Carboxylic acids

a)   describe the carboxylic acids as a homologous series containing the –CO2H group

b)   *draw the structures of carboxylic acids, methanoic acid to butanoic acid and name the unbranched acids, methanoic to butanoic acids

d)   describe the carboxylic acids as weak acids, reacting with carbonates, bases and some metals

e)   describe the formation of ethanoic acid by the oxidation of ethanol by atmospheric oxygen or      acidified potassium dichromate(VI)

g)   describe the reaction of carboxylic acids from C1 to C4 with alcohols from C1 to C4 to form esters

h)   draw the structures of and name the esters formed from carboxylic acids (see 11.4 ) and alcohols

j)    state some commercial uses of esters, e.g. perfumes; flavourings; solvents

 

11.5 Macromolecules

a)   *describe macromolecules as large molecules built up from small units, different macromolecules having different units and/or different linkages

c)   describe the formation of poly(ethene) as an example of addition polymerisation of ethene as the monomer

e)   state some uses of poly(ethene) as a typical plastic, e.g. plastic bags; clingfilm

f)    deduce the structure of the polymer product from a given monomer and vice versa

g)   describe nylon, a polyamide, and Terylene, a polyester, as condensation polymers, the partial

h)   structure of nylon (details of manufacture and mechanisms of these polymerisations are not required)

i)    state some typical uses of man-made fibres such as nylon and Terylene, e.g. clothing; curtain materials; fishing line; parachutes; sleeping bags

k)   describe the pollution problems caused by the disposal of non-biodegradable plastics

l)    identify carbohydrates, proteins and fats as natural macromolecules

m)   describe proteins as possessing the same amide linkages as nylon but with different monomer units

n)   describe fats as esters possessing the same linkages as Terylene but with different monomer units

o)   describe the hydrolysis of proteins to amino acids and carbohydrates (e.g. starch) to simple sugars