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Tetrahedral carbon compounds

In saturated organic compounds, all of the carbon atoms are tetrahedral.

Chloroalkanes

  • A chloroalkane is an alkane in which one or more hydrogen atoms are replaced with chlorine atoms.
  • Chloroform (
  • ) is an example of a chloroalkane.
  • Chloroalkane’s main uses:
    • For removing oil and grease marks from machinery and in dry cleaning of clothes.
    • Paint stripper.
    • Correcting fluid, e.g. Tippex.

Alcohols

  • The alcohols form a homologous series of organic compounds, of general formula
  • .
  • The -OH group is called the hydroxyl group and is the functional group of alcohols.
    • functional group is an atom or group of atoms which are responsible for the characteristic properties of a series of organic compounds.
  • Alcohols may be classified as primary, secondary or territory alcohols.
    • primary alcohol is one where the carbon atom joined to the -OH group is attached to only one other carbon atom. e.g. ethanol.
    • In a secondary alcohol, the carbon atom joined to the -OH group is attached to two other carbon atoms. e.g propan-2-ol.
    • In a tertiary alcohol, the carbon atom joined to the -OH group is attached to three other carbon atoms, e.g. 2-methylpropan-2-ol.
  • The best known alcohol is ethanol. Ethanol is found in alcoholic drinks.
    • Ethanol for alcoholic drinks is made by fermentation of sugars in fruits which contain sugar glucose. e.g. grapes.
    • In fermentation, enzymes in yeast break down the sugar to give carbon dioxide and ethanol.
    • Ethanol is also used was a fuel and as a solvent. e.g. paints, perfumes, after-shaves, etc.

Planar carbon compounds

Planar compounds have a carbon-carbon or carbon-oxygen double bonds. The atoms in the double bonds are planar.

 Aldehydes

  • Aldehydes form a homologous series of organic compounds containing the -CHO functional group. Its general formula is
  • .
  • All aldehydes contain the carbonyl group.
  • They are named by replacing the -e at the end of the corresponding alkane name with -al.
  • Dipole-dipole attractions exist between adjacent aldehyde molecules of a carbon-oxygen double bond ( C = O ).
    • This leads to increase in boiling points when compared with similar relative molecular mass but lower than those comparable alcohols.
  • The only aromatic aldehyde on our course is benzaldehyde. It is found in the oil of almonds.

Ketones

  • The functional group of the ketones is >C=O.
  • Ketones are named by replacing the -e at the end of the corresponding alkane name with -one.
  • The physical properties of ketones are very similar to those of aldehydes, but the lower ketones are liquids at room temperature and are soluble in water.
  • Uses: propanone is used as solvent. e.g. for nail varnish remover.

Carboxylic acids

  • Carboxylic acids are a family of organic compounds that contain the carboxyl functional group, -COOH. Its general formula is
  • .
  • Carboxylic acids are named by replacing the -e at the end of the corresponding alkane name with -oic acid.
  • Methanoic acid is found in the stings of nettles and ants.
  • Uses:
    • Ethanoic acid is used to make a chemical called cellulose acetate, which is used in varnishes, lacquers, photographic film for camera and a type of textile called reyon.
    • Propanoic acid, benzoic acid are used as food preservatives.

 Esters

  • Esters are a family of compounds of general formula RCOOR’. The functional group is the -COO- group.
  • They have low boiling points.
  • They have strong and pleasant smells.
  • Fats and oils are long chain carboxylic acids which are naturally occurring esters.
  • Uses: Ethyl ethanoate is used as a solvent for printing inks and paints.