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What is the general formula for acyclic alkanes?
What is the general formula for acyclic alkanes?
CnH2n+2
What type of bond do all alkanes have?
What type of bond do all alkanes have?
Cycloalkanes are named by adding the prefix "cyclo-" to the name of the acyclic alkane with the same number of carbons.
Cycloalkanes are named by adding the prefix "cyclo-" to the name of the acyclic alkane with the same number of carbons.
True
What is the name of the IUPAC system used for naming organic molecules?
What is the name of the IUPAC system used for naming organic molecules?
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What three parts make up the name of an organic molecule?
What three parts make up the name of an organic molecule?
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Match the following terms with their descriptions.
Match the following terms with their descriptions.
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Alkanes are soluble in water.
Alkanes are soluble in water.
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The boiling point of alkanes increases as the number of carbons in the molecule increases.
The boiling point of alkanes increases as the number of carbons in the molecule increases.
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What is the primary factor that determines the stability of different conformations of acyclic alkanes?
What is the primary factor that determines the stability of different conformations of acyclic alkanes?
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The staggered conformation of ethane has a 0° dihedral angle.
The staggered conformation of ethane has a 0° dihedral angle.
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The staggered conformation is higher in energy than the eclipsed conformation.
The staggered conformation is higher in energy than the eclipsed conformation.
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What is the name of the end-on representation for conformations, first described by Melvin Newman?
What is the name of the end-on representation for conformations, first described by Melvin Newman?
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What are the two types of staggered conformation referred to?
What are the two types of staggered conformation referred to?
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What is angle strain?
What is angle strain?
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Cyclopropanes are known for having a high degree of angle strain.
Cyclopropanes are known for having a high degree of angle strain.
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Cyclohexanes adopt a puckered "chair" conformation, which is more stable than any other conformation.
Cyclohexanes adopt a puckered "chair" conformation, which is more stable than any other conformation.
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What are the two types of hydrogens present on each carbon in cyclohexane?
What are the two types of hydrogens present on each carbon in cyclohexane?
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Ring-flipping is a conformational change that interconverts axial and equatorial H atoms in cyclohexanes.
Ring-flipping is a conformational change that interconverts axial and equatorial H atoms in cyclohexanes.
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Larger substituents are more stable in the equatorial position.
Larger substituents are more stable in the equatorial position.
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Both conformations of cis-1,4-dimethylcyclohexane are equally stable.
Both conformations of cis-1,4-dimethylcyclohexane are equally stable.
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The diaxial conformation of trans-1,4-dimethylcyclohexane is more stable than the di-equatorial conformation.
The diaxial conformation of trans-1,4-dimethylcyclohexane is more stable than the di-equatorial conformation.
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Alkanes can undergo two basic reactions: oxidation and combustion.
Alkanes can undergo two basic reactions: oxidation and combustion.
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Combustion of alkanes is an example of a reduction reaction.
Combustion of alkanes is an example of a reduction reaction.
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What are two things that are produced during the combustion of alkanes?
What are two things that are produced during the combustion of alkanes?
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Study Notes
Organic Chemistry - Chapter 4: Alkanes
- Alkanes are aliphatic hydrocarbons containing only carbon and hydrogen, with single (sigma) bonds.
- Acyclic alkanes have straight chains and follow the general formula CnH2n+2.
- Cycloalkanes form rings and follow the general formula CnH2n.
- Nomenclature is not emphasized in this course, but it is important for specifying location, type of molecule, and functional groups.
- Alkanes are nonpolar due to C-C and C-H bonds.
- This results in weak van der Waals forces and affects solubility, boiling point, and melting point.
- Alkanes are soluble in organic solvents and insoluble in water.
- Boiling and melting points increase with the number of carbons due to increased surface area.
- Branching decreases boiling and melting points.
- Increased symmetry increases melting points.
- Conformations are different arrangements of atoms that are interconverted by rotation about single bonds.
- Eclipsed conformations have C-H bonds directly aligned.
- Staggered conformations have C-H bonds bisecting the H-C-H bond angle.
- Newman Projections are end-on representations of conformations along a C-C bond.
- Torsional strain increases energy during eclipsing interactions.
- The energy difference between staggered and eclipsed conformations is called torsional energy.
- Staggered conformations are more stable than eclipsed conformations.
- The staggered conformations are more stable (lower in energy) than the eclipsed conformations.
- 1,2-dimethylcyclopentanes can be cis or trans.
- Cis isomers have two identical groups on the same side of the ring.
- Trans isomers have two identical groups on opposite sides of the ring.
Substituent Naming
- Alkyl groups, derived from alkanes, are named by changing the -ane suffix to -yl.
- Methane becomes methyl (CH3—)
- Ethane becomes ethyl (CH3CH2—)
- Parent hydrocarbons have different hydrogen atoms. Removal of these different hydrogen atoms forms different alkyl groups, with different names such as propyl or isopropyl by different carbon positions.
- Naming four-carbon alkyl groups is more complex; giving butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl and tert-butyl.
Cycloalkanes
- Cycloalkanes contain carbons joined in rings.
- Their general formula is CnH2n, having two fewer hydrogens than their acyclic analogs.
- Cyclopropanes, cyclobutanes etc., deviate from the tetrahedral angle (109.5°), requiring the molecules to be puckered to relieve strain.
- Cyclohexane usually adopts a chair conformation, minimizing angle and torsional strain.
- Cyclohexane has axial and equatorial hydrogens.
Nomenclature
- The name of every organic molecule has 3 parts: parent name, a suffix, and prefixes.
- The parent name indicates the number of carbons in the longest continuous carbon chain.
- The suffix indicates the functional group.
- The prefix tells us the identity, position, and number of substituents attached to the carbon chain.
- Parent chains (lengths in terms of carbons), the appropriate suffix and substituents are used to name complicated molecules.
Reactions of Alkanes
- Alkanes undergo oxidation and reduction reactions.
- Oxidation results in an increase in the number of C-Z bonds and a decrease in the number of C-H bonds.
- Reduction results in an increase in the number of C-H bonds and a decrease in the number of C-Z bonds.
- Alkanes undergo combustion (reaction with oxygen) to form carbon dioxide and water.
Summary
- The number of carbons affects physical properties (boiling/melting points, solubility).
- Nomenclature is important for specifying structure, including location and substituent characteristics.
- Conformational differences (eclipsed/staggered, chair/boat) affect stability.
- Substituents affect the stability of chair conformations.
- Alkanes typically undergo combustion or oxidation reactions.
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