CHAPTER 1: Atomic Structure

1.1 Inside the Atom

1.2 Isotopes

Learning outcomes:

(a) identify and describe protons, neutrons and electrons in terms of their relative charges
and relative masses.
(b) deduce the behaviour of beams of protons, neutrons and electrons in electric fields.
(c) describe the distribution of mass and charges within an atom.
(d) deduce the numbers of protons, neutrons and electrons present in both atoms and ions
given proton and nucleon numbers (and charge).
(e) (i) describe the contribution of protons and neutrons to atomic nuclei in terms of
proton number and nucleon number.
(ii) distinguish between isotopes on the basis of different numbers of neutrons present
(iii) recognise and use the symbolism where x is the nucleon number and y is the
proton number.
1.1 Inside the Atom
Sub-atomic particles

1) Electrons revolve around in region of space called orbitals.

2) Electrons do not move in fixed orbits.

3) The nucleus is made up of protons and neutrons which contains almost

all the mass of the atom. This is because the mass of electrons is very small
compared to others.

4) The nucleus is positively-charged because of the protons. Electrons, being

negatively-charged, surround the nucleus.

Particles Relative mass Relative Charge / C

Charge
-19
Protons, p 1 +1 +1.6 x 10

Neutron, n 1 0 0
-19
Electron, e 1
-1 -1.6 x 10
1836
Behaviour of sub-atomic particles in electric field

1) Proton will be deflected towards the negative

plate because it is positively-charged.

2) Electron will be deflected towards the positive

plate because it is negatively-charged.

3) Neutron will not be deflected and continue in their

direction of motion because it is neutral(not charged).

4) Angle of deflection of electron > Angle of deflection of proton

because the mass of electron is smaller than proton. (angle of deflection is
inversely proportional to charge/mass ratio)

5) Conclusion:
i. Protons are positively-charged
ii. Electrons are negatively-charged
iii. Neutrons are neutral
iv.Protons are much heavier than electron

Nucleon number and proton number

1) Proton number is the total number of protons in an atom.

2) Nucleon number is the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom.

3) Proton number is also known as atomic number while nucleon number is also
known as mass number.

4) In a neutral atom, the total number of protons equals to the total number of
electrons.
5) When an atom gains or loses electrons, a cation or anion will be formed.

6) Cation is a positively-charged ion. It is formed when an atom loses electron(s).

In cation, the number of protons is more than the number of electrons.

7) Anion is a negatively-charged ion. It is formed when an atom gains electron(s).

In anion, the number of electrons is more than the number of protons.

8) An atom or ion is said to be

i. isoelectronic if they have the same number of electrons.
ii. isotonic if they have the same number of neutrons.
iii. isotopic if they have the same number of protons.

To deduce the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in an atom/ion

1.2 Isotopes
Isotopes

1) Isotopes are atoms of the same element with the same number of proton but
different number of neutron.

Example:

2) Isotopes have the same:

i. number of protons and electrons
ii. electronic configuration
iii. chemical properties(because they have the same number of electrons)

3) Isotopes have different:

i. number of neutrons and nucleon number
ii. mass
iii. density
iv.molecular speed

4) Isotopes can be stable or unstable. Unstable isotopes are called radioactive

isotopes(radioisotopes).
CHAPTER 2: Atoms, Molecules and
Stoichiometry
2.1 Mass of Atoms and Molecules
2.2 Mass Spectrometer
2.3 Amount of Substance
2.4 Empirical Formula and Molecular Formula
2.5 Stoichiometry and Equations

Learning outcomes:

(a) define and use the terms relative atomic, isotopic, molecular and formula masses, based on
the C-12 scale.
(b) define and use the term mole in terms of the Avogadro constant.
(c) analyse mass spectra in terms of isotopic abundances [knowledge of the working of the
mass spectrometer is not required].
(d) calculate the relative atomic mass of an element given the relative abundances of its
isotopes, or its mass spectrum.
(e) define and use the terms empirical and molecular formulae.
(f) calculate empirical and molecular formulae, using combustion data or composition by mass.
(g) write and/or construct balanced equations.
(h) perform calculations, including use of the mole concept, involving:
(i) reacting masses (from formulae and equations).
(ii) volumes of gases (e.g. in the burning of hydrocarbons).
(iii) volumes and concentrations of solutions.
When performing calculations, candidates’ answers should reflect the number of significant
figures given or asked for in the question. When rounding up or down, candidates should
ensure that significant figures are neither lost unnecessarily nor used beyond what is
justified.
(i) deduce stoichiometric relationships from calculations such as those in (h).
2.1 Mass of Atoms and Molecules
Concept of relative mass

1) Relative mass is an indication of how heavy is an atom compared to another

atom which is used as a standard model.

2) Relative mass is expressed in atomic mass unit(a.m.u).

3) C-12 was chosen to be the standard model because:

i. it is the most abundant isotope of carbon.
ii. it is a solid, easy to handle and easily available.

4) C-12 was assigned a mass of exactly 12 a.m.u.. This is known as C-12 scale.

5) For example, an atom which is 3.5 times heavier than a C-12 atom would have a
relative mass of (3.5 x 12) = 42 a.m.u.. That means, this atom is 42 times
heavier than the mass of (1/12 x the mass of C-12 atom).

Relative isotopic mass

1) Relative isotopic mass is the mass of an isotope measured on a scale in which a

carbon-12 atom has a mass of exactly 12 units.

Relative atomic mass, Ar

1) Relative atomic mass, Ar is the weighted average relative masses of all its isotopes
measured on a scale in which a carbon-12 atom has a mass of exactly 12 units.

Average mass of
one atom of the
Relative atomic mass, Ar = element X 12

Mass of one atom of

carbon-12
Example:

Ratio of Cl-35 to Cl-37 is 3:1. If you have 4 typical atoms of chlorine, total mass
is (35 x 3) + (37 x 1) = 142. So, the average mass of the isotopes is 142/4 = 35.5.

This implies that 35.5 is the relative atomic mass of chlorine while 35 is the
relative mass of Cl-35 and 37 is the relative mass of Cl-37.

Relative molecular mass, Mr

1) Relative molecular mass, Mr is the weighted average of the masses of the molecules
measured on a scale in which a carbon-12 atom has a mass of exactly 12 units.

2) It should only be applied to substances which exist as molecules.

3) It is found by adding up all the relative atomic masses of all the atoms present in
the molecule.

4) Examples:
i. Mr (H2O) = 2(1) + 16 = 18
ii. Mr (CHCl3) = 12 + 1 + 3(35.5) = 119.5

Relative formula mass, Mr

1) Relative formula mass, Mr is the weighted average of the masses of the formula
units measured on a scale in which a carbon-12 atom has a mass of exactly 12
units.

2) It works for both ionic and covalent compounds.

3) Examples:
i. Mr (NaCl) = 23 + 35.5 = 58.5
ii. Mr (CuSO4 • H2O) = 64 + 32+ 4(16) +5[2(1) + 16] = 249.5
2.2 Mass Spectrometer
What is mass spectrometer?

1) A mass spectrometer is used to determine:

a. relative isotopic mass
b. relative abundance of isotopes
c. relative atomic mass
d. relative molecular mass
e. structural formula of compounds

Determination of relative atomic mass using mass spectrometer

1) Five steps:
i. Vaporisation
- atoms are vaporised to form gaseous atoms.

ii. Ionisation
- gaseous atoms are bombarded with high energy electrons to form positive
ions.

iii. Acceleration
- the ions are accelerated so that they have the same kinetic energy.

iv.Deflection
- ions are deflected by a magnetic field. The amount of deflection depends on:
1) the mass of the ion
2) the amount of positive charge on it
- the larger the mass, the smaller the deflection.
- the higher the charge, the larger the deflection.
- the two factors combine into mass/charge ratio (m/e or m/z).
- the smaller the value of m/e, the larger the deflection.

v.Detection
- the beam of ions are detected electrically.
- the data are fed into the computer and the mass spectrum is produced.
 Side note

1) Ionisation chamber is vacuum

so that the ions produced can
run freely without knocking
air molecules.

Mass spectrum (How to calculate relative atomic mass, Ar from it?)

Relative abundance

c
b

m/e
m₁ m₂ m₃

(m₁ x a) + (m₂ x b) + (m₃ x c)

Ar =
a+b+c
Example:

The mass spectrum of boron, B is as shown, given the relative abundances: B-

10 : 23
B-11 : 100

(23 x 10) + (100 x11)

Ar =
23 + 100

= 10.8

2.3 Amount of Substance

The mole and the Avogadro constant

1) A mole of a substance is the amount of substance that contains the same

amount of stated elementary units as there are atoms is 12 g of C-12.

2) The number of atoms is 12 g of C-12 is 6.02 x 10²³ . This number is also

known as the Avogadro's constant, L.

3) Examples:
i. 1 mol of He contains 6.02 x 10²³ He atoms.
ii. 1 mol of CO2 contains 6.02 x 10²³ CO2 molecules but 3 x (6.02 x10²³)
atoms.
iii. 1 mol of NaCl contains 6.02 x 10²³ NaCl units, Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions.
Moles and mass

Mass / g
No. of mole / mol = -1
Molar mass / g mol

Moles and volumes

1) Volume occupied by a gas depends on the amount of gas, temperature and

pressure. In other words the volume of a gas is not fixed.

2) Avogadro's Law states that for equal volumes of all gases, under the same
conditions, contain the same number of moles.

3) Hence, equal number of moles of any gas, under the same conditions, would
occupy the same volume. It does not depend on the nature of gas.

4) At room temperature of 20 ℃ and a pressure of 1 atm, one mole of any gas

occupies 24 dm³.

5) At standard temperature and pressure (s.t.p), which is 0 ℃ and 1 atm, one mole of
any gas occupies 22.4 dm³.

Volume of a gas / dm³

No.of mole / mol =
Molar volume / dm³ mol -
1

6) i. Complete combustion of hydrocarbon produces water and carbon dioxide. The

general equation is as follow:

ii. In incomplete combustion, the possible products are carbon dioxide, carbon
monoxide, carbon soot and water.
Moles and concentration of solutions

1) A solution is a homogeneous mixture of two or more substance.

2) The substance presents in small quantity is called the solute while the substance
present is larger quantity is called the solvent.

3) Concentration is the amount of solute present in a fixed quantity of solution.

4) Concentration is expressed in terms of g dm⁻³. Concentration in mol dm⁻³ is called

molar concentration or molarity.

Mass of solute / g
Concentration / g dm⁻³
Volume of solution / dm³

Concentration / g dm⁻³
Molarity / mol dm⁻³
Molar mass of solute / g mol -1

Volume / cm³ X Molarity / mol dm⁻³

No. of moles / mol =
1000

2.4 Empirical Formula and Molecular Formula

Percentage composition by mass

Percentage composition Ar x No.of mole of that element

by mass / % = X 100%
Molar mass of compound
Empirical formula

1) Empirical formula is a chemical formula that shows the simplest ratio of the atoms
that combine to form a molecule.

2) Steps to find empirical formula:

i. Find the mass of each element.
ii. Find the number of mole of each element (divide by its Ar).
iii. Find the simplest ratio (divide by the smallest number).
iv.Construct the empirical formula using the simplest ratio.

[ If a decimal or fraction exists, round up or eliminate the fraction ]

[ Never assume a formula ]

3) Some facts:
i. The formula for an ionic compound is always its empirical formula.
ii. The empirical formula and molecular formula for simple inorganic molecules are
often the same.
iii. Organic molecules have different empirical and molecular formula.

Molecular formula

1) Molecular formula is a chemical formula that shows the actual number of atoms
that combine to form the compound.

2) In order to deduce the molecular formula of a compound, we need to know:

i. the relative formula mass of the compound.
ii. the empirical formula of the compound.

Principle of conservation of mass

1) Mass is neither created nor destroyed during a chemical reaction. Therefore the total
mass of the reactants is equal to the total mass of the products in a closed system.

2) For example, the total mass of iodine in the reactants is equal to the total mass of
iodine in the products.
3) This can be used to solve problems in calculating the empirical formula.
2.5 Stoichiometry and Equations
Stoichiometry

1) Stoichiometry is the proportion of things either reacting or combining.

2) In compounds, it refers to the ratio in which the atoms are combined together. For
example, water, H2O has a stoichiometry of 2 hydrogen to 1 oxygen.

3) It also refers to the reacting proportions in a chemical equation. For example: 2H2
+ O2 → 2H2O
The stoichiometry shows that 2 moles of hydrogen react with 1 mole of oxygen to
form 2 moles of water.

Ionic equations

1) Steps to construct net ionic equations:

i. Write the balanced molecular equation.
ii. Write the complete ionic equation by splitting it into ions(if possible).
iii. Cancel out the spectator ions. (Spectator ions are ions that present in the
mixture but do not participate in the reaction.)
iv.Write down the 'leftovers', that is the net ionic equation.
Chemical equation:

Complete ionic equation:

Net ionic equation:

FAQ 1: When to split compounds into FAQ 2: How to identify spectator ions?
ions?
1) The ions present on both sides of
1) Only split aqueous ionic compounds. For the equation are spectator ions.
example, NaCl(aq) and HCl(aq)
2) Do not split solid ionic compounds and
covalent compounds, as well as metals.
For example, NaCl(s), H2O(l), Mg(s)
and HCl(g)
CHAPTER 3: Electrons in Atoms
3.1 Sub-shells and Atomic Orbitals
3.2 Electronic Configuration
3.3 Ionisation Energy

Learning outcomes:

(a) describe the number and relative energies of the s, p and d orbitals for the principal
quantum numbers 1, 2 and 3 and also the 4s and 4p orbitals.
(b) describe the shapes of s and p orbitals.
(c) state the electronic configuration of atoms and ions given the proton number (and
charge), using the convention 1s²2s²2p⁶ etc.
(d) (i) explain and use the term ionisation energy.
(ii) explain the factors influencing the ionisation energies of elements.
(iii) explain the trends in ionisation energies across a Period and down a Group of the
Periodic Table.
(e) deduce the electronic configurations of elements from successive ionisation energy data.
(f) interpret successive ionisation energy data of an element in terms of the position of
that element within the Periodic Table.
3.1 Sub-shells and Atomic Orbitals
Principle quantum shell

1) Electrons are arranged outside the nucleus in energy levels or

principle quantum shell, n.

2) The principal quantum shells are numbered according how far are they
from the nucleus.

3) The lowest energy level, n = 1 is closest to the

nucleus, the energy level n = 2 is further out, and
so on.

4) The electrons in energy level further away from

the nucleus have more energy and held less tightly
by the nucleus.
The circles represent
energy levels
5) Electrons do not move in fixed circular
paths, they occupy a space called the atomic
orbitals.

6) The total number of electrons that can occupy any principal shell is 2n²,
where n is the principal quantum number.

Quantum sub-shells

1) The principal quantum shells, apart from the first, are split into sub-shells.
Each principle quantum shell contains a different number of sub-shells.

2) The first energy level contains one sub-shell, the second energy level
contains two and so on.

3) The sub-shells are distinguished by letters s, p, d, f and so on.

4) The energy of electrons in the sub-shells increases in the order s < p < d <
f.
 Principal Maximum number of Number of Name of
quantum shell electrons sub-shells sub-shells

K, n = 1 2 1 1s

L, n = 2 8 2 2s, 2p

M, n = 3 18 3 3s, 3p, 3d

32 4 4s, 4p, 4d, 4f

N, n = 4

The impossibility of drawing orbits for electrons

1) Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle says, you cannot know with certainty

where an electron is and where it is going next.

2) This makes it impossible to draw out an orbit or pathway in which the

electrons move.

Atomic orbitals

1) An atomic orbital is a region of space around the nucleus where the probability
of finding a particular electron is maximum (>95%).

2) The sub-shells are split further into orbitals where the electrons are
placed.
3) The number of orbital in each sub-shell depends on the sub-
shells. s - one orbital {s}
p - three orbitals {px, py, pz}
d - five orbitals {dxy, dyz, dxz, dx²-y², dz²}

4) Orbitals having the same energy are called degenerate orbitals. For
example, px, py and pz are degenerate orbitals.

5) The concept of orbitals arises from the fact that an electron has dual
nature. It behaves as a particle as well as a wave.

6) In the nth principal quantum shell, there are n sub-shells, n²

orbitals and a maximum of 2n² electrons.

The s orbital

2s

1) All the s orbitals are spherical and non-directional.

2) The shaded region represents the region in which the chance of

finding the s electron is more than 95%.

3) The size of the s orbital increases in the order 1s < 2s < 3s < 4s.
The p orbital

1) All the p orbitals are dumb-bell shaped and directional.

2) p orbitals are only available from the second

principal quantum shell and onwards.

3) There are 3 types of p orbitals, px, py and pz. All 3 different types of p
orbitals are perpendicular to each other along the x, y and z axes.

4) Going to a higher energy level, the 'lobes' of the p orbital become longer.
3.2 Electronic Configuration
Ways to represent electronic configuration

Electronic configuration describes how the electrons in an atom/ion are arranged in

their shells, sub-shells and orbitals.

1) Using 'electrons-in-boxes':

2) Using energy levels:

3) Using s, p, d and f notation:

4) Using the noble gas 'core':

Filling in the orbitals

1) Three general rules of filling the orbitals are:

i. Aufbau Principle states that in the ground state of an atom, the electrons
must occupy the orbitals in the order of increasing energy.

[ Note: 4s has a slightly lower energy than 3d, therefore electrons are filled in
4s orbital first before the 3d orbitals. ]

ii. Pauli's Exclusion Principle states that an orbital

can only accommodate a maximum of two electrons
only. The two electrons must have opposite spins.

iii. Hund's Rule states that in a set of degenerate orbitals,

electrons
must occupy the orbital singly first before pairing. The reason is because,
two electrons occupying the same orbital will experience repulsion.

rather than
2) Electronic configuration of the elements (up to Z = 38)

Periad Group

is' I I
,Hc 2 1 II
Ji 2,1 1s' 2s1 2 I
He 2,2 2 II
tB 2,3 Is' 2s’ Zp' 2 III
tC 2.4 is”' 2s’ Up’ 2 IV
,N 2,5 lv' 2s’ Zp’ 2 V haif-fi fled 2p-orbitals
Iu' 2s’ 2p’ 2 V)
,F 2,1 lv' 2s’ Zp’ 2 VII
toN c 2, 8 Is' 2s”’ 2p’ 2 O noblc gas
t,Na 2,8, i 3 I
,•Mg 2,8,2 Is' 2s' 2p‘3«* 3 II
ttAJ 2,8,3 13”' 2n' 2y’ 33’ 3p’ 3 III
Si 2,8, d is° 2s' 2p‘3«* 3p’ 3 IV
tsP 2,8,5 V half-filled Up-orbitals
qS 2, R, 6 Is’ 2s' 2p‘ 3s* 3p’
„C/ 2,8, 7 I s* 2s* 2p‘ 3s' 3p' 1 VlI
, 2, 8, C 1s' 2s' 2p' 3s' 3p‘ ñ 0 nnhl e gus
UK 2,8,8, 1 I s' 2s' 2p‘ 3s* 3p° 4s' 4 F 4s filled first bcforc 3d
pCa 2, it, 8, 2 1s' 2s' 2p' 1s 3p‘ 4s‘ 4 II
t Sc 2, 8, 9, 2 lz-2z- 2p’]z- 1p’12' 4z’
•›Ti 2, 8, 10, 2 Iz' 23' 2p’ 1s' 3p‘ Id’ 4s* 4 TE
V 2, 8, 1 1, 2 1s' 2s' 2p' 3s' 3p' Id’ 4s' 4 Tfi
pCr 2, 8, 12, 2 1s' 2s' 2p‘ 1s' 3p° Id' 4s' 4 TE hnlf•fi11 ed 3d & 4i
tMn 2, 8, 13, 2 1s' 2s“ Zp’ ? s' 9p' Id’ 4s' 4 TE
Fe 2, 8, I 4, 3 Is' 2s' *F‘*•' IQ° Id‘ 4s* 4 TE
-Co 2.8,1d. 2 Is' 2s* 2p‘ 1«^ 3p6 Id’ 4s* 4 TE
mNi 2, 8. 6, 3 ti' 2s'?F 0x'1p°0d 4s 4 TE
2, 8, 1 8, 1 1»'2 '2p’1'3p’3d“fi' 4 TE filled 3d & half-filled 4S
4 TE
1s' 2s' 2p' 1s' 3p' Id" 4s' 4p' 4 III
4 IY
„As 2 R] 5 1s' 2s' 2p‘ 1s' 3p‘ Id" 4s' 4p‘ 4 V
m,8c 2, 8, I 8, 6 I s' A;' 2p‘ 3s' 3p 3 dio 4 4p‘ 4 VI
ai r 2, R, J R, 7 Is' 2s' 2p° 1s' 3p‘ Id" 4/ 4p-’ 4 VII
„Kr 2, 8, t 8, 8 In- 2n' 2p‘ 9 s- 3p' 9ñ' U 4 4p‘ 4 0 noble gas
tvKb 2, 8, J H, H, I lf2s'2p’1-3p1d 4s'4p’5s S I
t1r 2, 8, 18, 8. la'2z' 2p’1a- 1p°1#'U 5 Il
2 4x'4p°Ss/
 3) The odd ones (K, Sc, Cr and Cu):

i. For potassium, 4s is filled before 3d because 4s has a lower energy level

than 3d.

ii. For scandium (to zinc, the d-block elements), the energy level of
3d and 4s are reversed. 4s is at a higher energy level now. This is because
once the 3d orbital(s) is/are filled, the 3d electrons repel the 4s electrons to a
higher energy level.

iii. For chromium, the electronic configuration is [Ar]3d⁵4s¹

instead of [Ar]3d⁴4s². This is because orbitals that are fully filled or half
filled have extra stability due to their symmetrical charge
distribution.

iv. For copper, the electronic configuration is [Ar]3d¹⁰4s¹ instead of

[Ar]3d⁹4s². The reason is the same as stated in (iii).

Electronic configuration of ions

1) In the formation of cation, the electrons are removed in the order of

decreasing energy (the reverse of filling in).

2) For the d-block elements, the electrons in 4s is removed first before 3d.
This is because once the 3d orbital is filled, the 4s electrons are repelled to a
higher energy level than 3d.

3) In the formation of anion, the electrons are added in the same manner as
filling the electrons.
Orbitals and the Periodic Table

1) The elements in the Periodic Table can be divided into four blocks
according to their valence shell electronic configuration.

2) The s-block elements have their valence electron(s) in the s orbital.

3) The p-block elements have their valence electrons in the p orbital.

4) The d-block elements have d orbitals filling.

5) The f-block elements have f orbitals filling.

Some useful facts

1) The valence electrons always appear at the end of the electronic

configuration. (but not necessary the last one).

2) The valence electrons are large responsible for the chemical properties
of an element.

3) The number of valence electron will indicate the group number

of that element in the Periodic Table.

4) The outermost quantum shell number will indicate the period of

that element in the Periodic Table.
3.3 Ionisation Energy
What is ionisation energy?

1) The 1st ionisation energy, ΔHi1 is the energy needed to remove one electron
from each atom in one mole of the atoms of the element in the gaseous
state to form one mole of gaseous 1+ ions.

2) The general unit for ionisation energy is kJ mol⁻¹.

Ca(g) → Ca⁺(g) + e⁻ ; ΔHi1 = +590 kJ mol⁻¹

3) If a second electron is removed from the gaseous 1+ ions, it is the 2nd

ionisation energy, ΔHi2.

Ca⁺(g) → Ca²⁺(g) + e⁻ ; ΔHi2 = +1150 kJ mol⁻¹

4) The 2nd ionisation energy, ΔHi2 is the energy needed to remove one
electron
from each gaseous 1+ ion in one mole of the ions to form one mole of gaseous
2+ ion.

5) The continuos removal of electrons until the nucleus is left only will
result in successive ionisation energies.

Factors affecting the ionisation energy

1) Charge on the nucleus (Number of proton)

- The greater the number of proton in the nucleus, the greater the amount of
positive charge.
- The greater the positive charge, the greater the attractive force
between the nucleus and outer electrons.
- More energy is needed to overcome the attractive force. So, the
ionisation energy is higher.
- The greater the nuclear charge, the higher the ionisation energy.
2) Distance between nucleus and outer electrons (Size of atom/ion)
- The larger the size of the atom, the greater the distance between the
nucleus and the outer electrons.
- The greater the distance between the nucleus and the outer electrons, the
weaker the attractive force between nucleus and outer electrons.
- Furthermore, the outer electrons experience greater shielding effect by
the inner electrons.
- Less energy is required to overcome the attractive force. So, the
ionisation energy is lower.
- The greater the distance between nucleus and outer electrons, the
lower the ionisation energy.

3) Shielding effect by the inner electrons

- All electrons are negatively-charged, so they repel each other. Electrons in
full inner shells will repel the outer electrons and so prevent the full nuclear
charge being felt by the outer electrons. This is called shielding or screening.
- The greater the shielding effect, the weaker the attractive force
between the nucleus and outer electrons.
- Less energy is required to overcome the attractive force. So, the
ionisation energy os lower.
- The greater the shielding effect, the lower the ionisation energy.

Pattern of ionisation down a Group

1) The first ionisation energy decreases down a Group.

2) This is because the atomic size increases and hence

the distance between the nucleus and outer electrons
increases. The outer electrons also experience a greater
shielding effect.

3) These two factors outweigh the increasing nuclear charge.

4) The above factors causes the attractive force between nucleus and outer
electrons to decrease, less energy is required to overcome the weaker attractive
force. Hence, the ionisation energy is lower.
Pattern of ionisation energy across a Period

1) The general trend of ionisation energy across a Period is increasing.

2) This is because, across a Period, the number of proton in the nucleus

increases by one therefore the nuclear charge increases.

3) However, the distance between the nucleus and outer electrons decreases
across a Period and the outer electrons experience the same amount of
shielding.

4) The above factors causes the attractive force between nucleus and
outer electrons to increase, more energy is required to overcome the
stronger attractive force. Hence, the ionisation energy is higher.

The drop between (Be-B) and (Mg-Al)

1) There is a slight decrease in first ionisation energy between beryllium-

born and magnesium-aluminium.

2) This is because the fifth electron in boron is located in the 2p sub-shell,

which is slightly further away from the nucleus. The outer electron in boron is
shielded by the 1s² as well as 2s² electrons.

Be : 1s²2s² B : 1s²2s²2p¹

3) The decrease in first ionisation energy between magnesium and

aluminium has the same reason, except that everything is happening at the third
energy level.

Mg : 1s²2s²2p⁶3s² Al : 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p¹
The drop between (N-O) and (P-S)

1) There is a slight decrease in first ionisation energy between nitrogen-

oxygen and phosphorus-sulphur.

2) This is because the electron being removed in oxygen is from the orbital
which contains a pair of electrons. The extra repulsion between the pair of
electrons results in less energy needed to remove the electron. This is
called spin-pair repulsion.

N : 1s²2s²2px¹2py¹2pz¹ O : 1s²2s²2px²2py¹2pz¹

3) The decrease in first ionisation energy between phosphorus and sulphur

has the same reason, except that everything is happening at the third energy
level.

P : 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3px¹3py¹3pz¹ S : 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3px²3py¹3pz¹

Successive ionisation energy

1) The following data can be obtained from successive ionisation energy:

i. Total number of electrons in an atom.
- is equal to the number of separate ionisation energies possessed by the
atom.

ii. Number of principal quantum shells occupied and the number of

electrons in each.
-by looking the big difference between two successive ionisation energies.

iii. Number of sub-shells occupied and the number of electrons in

each.

2) Successive ionisation energies get larger because removing an electron

from a positive ion with increasing positive charge is going to be more difficult
due to the increasing attractive force.
3) There is a relatively big increase in ionisation energy between the first
and second electron being removed. This suggests that the second electron being
removed is from a principal quantum shell closer to the nucleus.

4) The big jump occurs three times, so there are four principal quantum
shells occupied by this atom.

5) After the big jumps, there is a steady increase in ionisation energy, this
suggests that the electrons being removed come from the same principal
quantum shell.

6) The electronic configuration for this atom can be written as 2,8,8,1.

7) Two more examples:

This element comes from Group 2 This element comes from Group 14
of the Periodic Table of the Periodic Table
Looking at the pattern in more detail

1) The electronic configuration of chlorine is 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3px²3py²3pz¹.

2) Between the second and third ionisation energy, there is a slight

increase in difference in ionisation energy. This is because the first two
electrons being removed come from the orbitals which contain a paired
electrons. The extra repulsion between the electrons result in the ionisation
energy being lower.

3) There is also a slight increase in difference in ionisation energy between

the fifth and sixth electron being removed. This is because the sixth electron
being removed comes from the 3s sub-shell, which is slightly closer to the
nucleus.

4) The drastic increase in ionisation energy between the seventh and eighth
electrons suggests that the eighth electron comes from a principal quantum shell
closer to the nucleus.
CHAPTER 4: Chemical Bonding
4.1 Ionic Bonding
4.2 Covalent Bonding
4.3 Shapes of Molecules
4.4 Electronegativity, Bond Polarity, Bond Length and Bond Energy
4.5 Intermolecular Forces
4.6 Metallic Bonding
4.7 Bonding and Physical Properties of Substances

Learning outcomes:

(a) describe ionic (electrovalent) bonding, as in sodium chloride and magnesium oxide,
including the use of ‘dot-and-cross’ diagrams.
(b) describe, including the use of ‘dot-and-cross’ diagrams,
(i) covalent bonding, as in hydrogen, oxygen, chlorine, hydrogen chloride, carbon
dioxide, methane, ethene.
(ii) co-ordinate (dative covalent) bonding, as in the formation of the ammonium ion and
in the Al2Cl6 molecule.
(c) explain the shapes of, and bond angles in, molecules by using the qualitative
model of electron-pair repulsion (including lone pairs), using as simple examples: BF3
(trigonal), CO2 (linear), CH4 (tetrahedral), NH3 (pyramidal), H2O (non-linear), SF6
(octahedral), PF5 (trigonal bipyramid).
(d) describe covalent bonding in terms of orbital overlap, giving σ and π bonds, including
the concept of hybridisation to form sp, sp² and sp³ orbitals.
(e) explain the shape of, and bond angles in, ethane and ethene in terms of σ and π bonds.
(f) predict the shapes of, and bond angles in, molecules analogous to those specified in (c) and
(e).
(g) describe hydrogen bonding, using ammonia and water as simple examples of
molecules containing N-H and O-H groups.
(h) understand, in simple terms, the concept of electronegativity and apply it to explain
the properties of molecules such as bond polarity and the dipole moments of
molecules.
(i) explain the terms bond energy, bond length and bond polarity and use them to compare
the reactivities of covalent bonds.
(j) describe intermolecular forces (van der Waals’ forces), based on permanent and
induced dipoles, as in CHCl3(l); Br2(l) and the liquid noble gases.
(k) describe metallic bonding in terms of a lattice of positive ions surrounded by mobile
electrons.
(l) describe, interpret and/or predict the effect of different types of bonding (ionic
bonding, covalent bonding, hydrogen bonding, other intermolecular interactions,
metallic bonding) on the physical properties of substances.
(m) deduce the type of bonding present from given information.
(n) show understanding of chemical reactions in terms of energy transfers associated with
the breaking and making of chemical bonds.
4.1 Ionic Bonding
Formation of ionic bond

1) Ionic bond is the electrostatic force of attraction between oppositely-charged ions

formed by the complete transfer of electrons from an atom to another atom.

2) Ionic bond is also called electrovalent bond.

3) i. An atom(usually a metal) that loses electron(s) will form a positive ion(cation).

ii. The electron is then transferred to another atom.
iii. The atom that gains the electron(usually a non-metal) will form a negative
ion(anion).
iv.The cations and anions are then attracted by strong electrostatic force of
attraction. The force of attraction constitutes the ionic bond.

4) The force of attraction between cation and anion is very strong, therefore ionic
bond is a very strong bond.

5) Ionic bonds are non-directional, each cation will attract any neighbouring anion and
vice versa to form a huge ionic lattice.

6) The compound formed as a result of ionic bond is called ionic compound. An

example is sodium chloride, NaCl.

Dot-and-cross diagram

1) A dot-and-cross diagram shows:

i. the outer electron shell only.
ii. that the charge of the ion is spread evenly using a square bracket.
iii. the charge of each ion.

2) It is also called the Lewis diagram.

3) Using dot-and-cross diagram to represent the formation of ionic bond:

Strength of ionic bonds

1) The strength of ionic bond is a measure of the electrostatic force of attraction

between the ions.
(Q⁺) (Q⁻)
2) The force of attraction between the oppositely-charged E∝
ions is proportional to the charge on the ions and d²
inversely proportional to the square of distance between the ions.

3) The strength of ionic bond is manifested in the melting point of the ionic
compound.

4) i. For instance, the melting point of NaCl is higher than NaBr.

ii. This is because the size of Br⁻ ion is larger than Cl⁻ ion. Therefore the distance
between Br⁻ and Na⁺ is larger than that of between Cl⁻ and Na⁺.
iii. As a result, the electrostatic force of attraction between Na⁺ and Cl⁻ is stronger than
that of between Na⁺ and Br⁻ ion.

5) i. The melting point of NaCl is lower than MgCl2.

ii. This is because Mg²⁺ ion has a higher charge than Na⁺ ion. Besides that, the size of
Mg²⁺ ion is smaller than Na⁺ ion.
iii. The above two factors causes the electrostatic force of attraction between
Mg²⁺ and Cl⁻ to be stronger than that of between Na⁺ and Cl⁻.
4.2 Covalent Bonding
Formation of covalent bond

1) Covalent bond is the electrostatic force of attraction that two neighbouring nuclei
have for a localised pair of electrons shared between them.

2) Covalent bond is formed without transferring electrons, instead, the atoms

share their valence electron(s) to achieve duplet/octet electronic configuration.

3) The shared pair of electrons constitutes the covalent bond.

4) Using dot-and-cross diagram to represent the formation of covalent bond:

Formation of hydrogen Formation of oxygen gas,

gas, H₂ O₂

Single bond

1) Single bond is formed when one pair of electrons is shared between two
atoms.

2) Examples of compounds with single bonds:

Double bond

1) Double bond is formed when two pairs of electrons are shared between two
atoms.

2) Examples of compounds with double bonds:

Triple bond

1) Triple bond is formed when three pairs of electrons are shared between two
atoms.

2) Examples of compounds with triple bonds:

Lone pair and bond pair of electrons

1) The pair of electrons used in covalent bonding is called the bond pair while the
pair of electrons not used in covalent bonding is called the lone pair.
Octet-deficient and expanded octet species

1) In general, atoms tend to share their electrons to a achieve a duplet/octet

electronic configuration - the octet rule.

2) i. In octet-deficient species, the central atom has less than eight electrons.
ii. Some examples are boron trifluoride, BF3 and nitrogen monoxide, NO.

4) i. In expanded octet species, the central atom has more than eight electrons.
ii. An example is phosphorus(V) chloride, PCl5.
iii. This is possible only for Period 3 elements and beyond, this is because starting
from Period 3, the atoms have empty d orbitals in the third energy level to
accommodate more than eight electrons.
Expanded octet

Octet deficient

Co-ordinate bond (dative covalent bond)

1) A co-ordinate bond is formed when one atom provides both the electrons
needed for a covalent bond.

2) Conditions of forming a co-ordinate bond:

i. one atom has a lone pair of electrons.
ii. another atom has an unfilled orbital to accept the lone pair, in other words,
an electron-deficient species.

3) Once the bond is formed, it is identical to the other covalent bonds. It does not
matter where the electrons come from.

4) In a displayed formula, a co-ordinate bond is represented by an arrow, the head of

the arrow points away from the lone pair which forms the bond.
5) An example is the reaction between ammonia and hydrogen chloride. In this
reaction, ammonium ion is formed by the transfer of hydrogen ion(an octet
deficient species) from hydrogen chloride to the lone pair of electrons in the
ammonia molecule.

6) Another example is aluminium chloride. At high temperature, it exists as AlCl3. At

low temperature(around 180-190°C), it exists as Al2Cl6, a dimer(two molecules
joined together). This is possible because lone pairs of electrons from the chlorine
atom form co-ordinate bonds with the aluminium atom.

Tips to draw dot-and-cross diagram for covalent molecules

1) Identify the central atom and terminal atom(s). For example, in ammonia, the
nitrogen is the central atom while the hydrogens are the terminal atoms.

2) During the sharing of electrons, the terminal atoms must attain octet
configuration(or duplet for hydrogen) but not necessarily for the central atom.

3) i. If the central atom is from Period 2 of the Periodic Table, the total number of
electrons surrounding it cannot exceed eight(but can less than eight).
ii. If the central atom is from Period 3 and beyond, the total number of electrons
surrounding it can exceed eight.
4) i. For polyatomic anions, the negative charge will be distributed among the
most electronegative atom(s). This is to decrease the charge density on a
particular atom and to stabilise the ion.
ii. For polyatomic cation, the positive charge will be distributed among the less
electronegative atom(s). The reason is same as above.

5) If the terminal atom already has octet configuration(for example, Cl⁻), it will
contribute two electrons to the central atom to form a co-ordinate bond.

4.3 Shapes of Molecules

Valence shell electron pair repulsion(VSEPR) theory

1) All electrons are negatively-charged, so they will repel each other when they are
close together.

2) So, a pair of electrons in the bonds surrounding the central atom in a molecule will
repel the other electron pairs. This repulsion forces the pairs of electrons apart
until the repulsive forces are minimised.

3) The amount of
repulsion is as
follow:

4) General steps to determine the shape of a molecule:

i. determine the number of valence electrons in the central atom.
ii. find the total number of electrons surrounding the central atom by adding the
number of shared electrons to it. (Dot-and-cross diagram might be necessary)
iii. find the number of electron pairs by dividing the total number of electrons by
two.
iv.determine how many pairs is/are bond pairs and lone pairs. (A double bond or
triple bond is counted as one bond pair)
v. refer to the table to obtain the shape of the mol
 Total Generic Picture Bonded Lone h\oIccuIar Electron Example ftybndi Bond
^° •• Fomula A\omx Pairs 3hape
1 AY y— = 1 0 Lineer i.iffiaar H• s 180

2 AX. 2 0 LlrtcBr Linesr CO;

sp 180
Lineer Linear

1 0 Tngono Qanar Trigonal ptanar Ar

AX,G Benl
1ZO

4 AX. 4 0 Teoahedral Tevanadcol

Tr•gonal pyramid Tetrahedral PH.

AT,.E, Bent Tefranadrol SeBr,

LlrteBr TevanearaJ ci,

5 0 Trigo<ial bioyramid Trig0nal bipyramid AaF•

T‹|geneI b+jam+d tel,

ip’4 and
T shia T‹igio al bi@ramid

L nnn Tugonmt h›/Totw+d 8 f,

ti Metal wdrol

Sguae p yrzmld IF..

‘J0

4 XoF,
Effect of lone pair on bond angle

1) For methane, ammonia and water, the electron pair

geometries are tetrahedral. However, the molecular
geometries are different.

2) In methane, all the bonds are identical, repulsion between the

bonds is the same. Thus, methane has a perfect tetrahedral
structure with bond angle 109.5°.

3) In ammonia, the repulsion between the lone pair and the bond
pairs is stronger than in methane. This forces the bond angle to
decrease slightly to 107°.

4) In water, there are two lone pairs and thus the repulsion is the greatest, the two
bond pairs are pushed closer to one another and the bond angle is reduced to
104.5°.

Effect of electronegativity on bond angle

1) Water and hydrogen sulfide have the same general

shape with the same number of bond pairs and lone
pairs. However, their bond angles are different.

2) This is because oxygen has a higher electronegativity than sulphur. The bond
pairs of electrons are closer to the oxygen atom compared to the sulfur atom.

3) This results in greater repulsion in the O-H bonds than in the S-H bonds.
Therefore, the bond angle increases from 92.5° to 104.5°.

Sigma(σ) bond and pi(π) bond

1) A sigma bond is formed by orbitals from two atoms overlapping end-to-end.

2) In a sigma bond, the electron density is concentrated between the two nuclei.
3) A pi bond is formed by the p orbitals from two atoms
overlapping sideways.

4) In a pi bond, there are two regions of high electron density

alongside the nuclei.

5) A pi bond is weaker than a sigma bond because the overlapping of charge

clouds is less than in a sigma bond.

6) In covalent molecules, single bonds are sigma bonds(σ), a double bond

consists of one sigma bond and one pi bond(1σ, 1π), and a triple bond
consists of one sigma bond and two pi bonds(1σ, 2π).

Hybridisation

1) Hybridisation is the mixing of atomic orbitals to produce a new set of hybrid

orbitals of equivalent energies. This is a theory used to account for the
discrepancies in explaining the shapes of covalent molecules.

2) There is a problem with simple view on methane, CH4.

Methane has two unpaired electrons only in its outer
shell to share with the hydrogen atoms, but the formula of methane is not CH2.

3) The concept of hybridisation is used to account for this discrepancy.

4) General steps in hybridisation:

i. promotion of electron.
ii. mixing of orbitals to produce a new set of hybrid orbitals of equivalent
energies(sp, sp² or sp³ hybrid orbitals)
iii. forming of a new molecular orbital.
sp³ hybridisation

1) An example of compound which undergoes sp³

hybridisation is methane, CH4.
C:
2) The carbon atom uses some energy to promote one of
its electron from 2s to empty 2p orbital so that there are
four unpaired electrons for covalent bonding.
C* :
3) The carbon now is said to be in an excited state(C*).

4) The orbitals then 'mix' or hybridise to produce four

hybrid orbitals of equivalent energies. The new
orbitals are called sp³ hybrid orbitals because they are made from one s orbital and
three p orbitals.

5) Each hybrid orbital has one big lobe and one small lobe. They
rearrange themselves so that they are as far as possible to form a
tetrahedral geometry. The hybrid orbitals are 109.5° apart.

6) The s orbitals from the hydrogen atoms then

overlap with the four hybrid orbitals to form
four sigma bonds because the overlapping is
end-to-end. All the bonds are identical.

7) Another example is ethane, C2H6. The two

carbon atoms undergo sp³ hybridisation to form four hybrid orbitals. The two carbon
atoms are bonded by overlapping one of their hybrid orbitals. The remaining ones
then overlap with the s orbitals of the hydrogen atoms.

8) The bond angle is approximately 109.5°. This is an approximation because all the
bonds are not identical.
sp² hybridisation

1) An example of compound which undergoes sp² hybridisation is ethene, C2H4.

2) The same thing happens as in sp³

hybridisation, except that this time the
carbon atoms 'mix' or hybridise three of the four orbitals only because the carbon
atom is bonding with three other atoms only.

3) This produces three sp² hybrid orbitals because they are

made from one s orbital and two p orbitals. Another p
orbital remains unchanged and it is perpendicular to the
plane containing the hybrid orbitals.

4) The hybrid orbitals rearrange themselves so that they are as far as possible, that is, a
trigonal planar arrangement, the hybrid orbitals are 120° apart.

5) The hybrid orbitals then overlap with s orbitals

from the hydrogen atoms and another hybrid
orbital from the other carbon atom to form five
sigma bonds. The remaining p orbitals overlap
sideways to form a pi bond. A double bond is
formed between the two carbon atoms.

6) Another example is boron trichloride, BCl3. The boron atom undergoes sp²
hybridisation to produce three sp² hybrid orbitals. The hybrid orbitals rearrange
themselves to form a trigonal planar geometry. The p orbitals from chlorine
atoms then overlap with the hybrid orbitals to form three sigma bonds.
sp hybridisation

1) An example of compound which undergoes sp hybridisation is ethyne, C2H2.

2) The same thing happens as in sp³ and sp² hybridisation,

except that this time the carbon atoms 'mix' or hybridise
two of the four orbitals only because the carbon atom is bonding with two
other atoms only.

3) This produces two sp hybrid orbitals because they are

made from one s orbital and one p orbital. The other two p
orbitals remain unchanged and they are perpendicular to
each other and to the two hybrid orbitals.

4) The hybrid orbitals rearrange themselves so that they are as far as possible, that is, a
linear arrangement, the hybrid orbitals are 180° apart.

5) The hybrid orbitals overlap with the s orbitals from the hydrogen atoms and to
the hybrid orbital from the other carbon atom to form three sigma bonds. The
remaining p orbitals overlap sideways to form two pi bonds. A triple bond is
formed between the two carbon atoms.

Example of covalent molecule with multiple hybridisations

1) In carbon dioxide, CO2, the carbon atom

undergoes sp hybridisation while the
oxygen atoms undergo sp² hybridisation. The
overlapping of the hybrid and p orbitals
are shown in the diagram.
4.4 Electronegativity, Bond Polarity, Bond Length
and Bond Energy
Electronegativity

1) Electronegativity is the ability of an atom which is covalently bonded to the other

atom to attract the bond pair of electrons towards itself.

2) The more electronegative an atom is, the higher the tendency of that atom to
attract the bond pair of electrons towards itself.

3) The Pauling scale is commonly used to quantify the value of electronegativity of

a particular element.

4) Fluorine is the most electronegative element because of its small size, followed by
oxygen and nitrogen.

Trends of electronegativity values in the Periodic Table

1) i. The value of electronegativity increases across a

Period(from left to right).
ii. This is because the number of proton increases across a
Period. Therefore the amount of positive charge in the
nucleus also increases.
iii. The shielding effect by inner electrons remains constant.
iv.Therefore the attraction towards the bond pair of electrons increases, making it
more electronegative.

2) i. The value of electronegativity decreases

down a Group.
ii. This is because the size of the atoms
increases down a Group. Therefore the
distance between the nucleus and the bond
pair of electrons also increases.
iii. The shielding effect by inner electrons is also greater.
iv.Therefore the attraction towards the bond pair of electrons decreases, making it
less electronegative.
Bond Polarity

1) i. When two covalently-bonded atoms have the same

electronegativity, the electron cloud is evenly distributed between the two
atoms.
ii. The bond is described as a 'pure' covalent bond or non-polar bond.
iii. Some examples are H2, Cl2 and Br2.

2) i. However, when an atom is more electronegative than

the other, the more electronegative atom will attract the
bond pair of electrons more towards itself. The electron cloud is not evenly distributed
or distorted.
ii. The more electronegative end acquires a partial negative charge while the less
electronegative end acquires a partial positive charge.
iii. The bond is said to be polarised, or, a polar bond.
iv.Some examples of compound which contain polar bond(s) are HCl and CH4.
v.The molecule is described as 'covalent with some ionic character'.

3) i. When the electronegativity difference between the two atoms is very great, the less
electronegative atom will lose its electrons and the more electronegative atom will
gain the electrons.
ii. An ionic bond will be formed.

Polar and non-polar molecules

1) A molecule is polar, and thus, has a dipole moment(μ ≠ 0) if:

i. the bonds are polarised
ii. the dipole of the bonds do not cancel out each other(in other words, it is
asymmetrical)

2) The dipole moment, μ is the product of charges and the distance between the
centre of the charges.
 3) Examples:

4) A liquid containing polar molecules can be

deflected by a charged rod brought near to it. This
is because there is a positive end and a negative end in
polar molecules. So, irregardless of the charge on the
rod, one end of the molecule will always be
attracted towards the charged rod.

5) When polar molecules are placed in an electric

field, the positive end of the molecule will face
towards the negative terminal while the negative
end of the molecule will face towards the positive
terminal.

6) Generally, polar molecules are more reactive than non-polar molecules because
many chemical reactions are started by a reagent attacking an electrically-
charged end of the polar molecule. An example is CO is more reactive than N2
although both of them have triple bonds because CO is polar while N2 is not.

Bond length and bond energy

1) Bond length is the distance between two nuclei of two atoms

joined by a covalent bond.

2) Bond energy is the energy needed to break one mole of covalent bonds between
two atoms in the gaseous state.
A-B(g) → A(g) + B(g) ∆H° = +x J

4) i. The shorter the bond length, the stronger is the bond.

ii. The greater the bond energy, the stronger is the bond.
iii. Hence, the shorter and bond length, the greater the bond energy.
4.5 Intermolecular Forces
Intermolecular and intramolecular forces

1) i. Intramolecular force is the force of

attraction that hold individual atoms
together in a molecule.
ii. Commonly referred to as covalent bonds.

2) Intermolecular force is the force of attraction between one molecule and

the neighbouring molecule.

3) There are several types of intermolecular forces:

Intermolecular forces

van der Waals' forces Hydrogen bond

- Permanent dipole-dipole forces
(Keesom forces)
- Temporary dipole-induced dipole forces
(Dispersion forces or London forces)

4) Intermolecular forces are much weaker than intramolecular forces.

5) Intermolecular forces are responsible for the melting and boiling points of
substances, as well as their physical states.

Permanent dipole-dipole forces(Keesom forces) Permanent dipole-dipole forces

1) Polar molecules have a negative end and a

positive end. The oppositely-charged ends
will attract one another. The forces of attraction is called permanent dipole- dipole
forces.

2) Only polar molecules will experience permanent dipole-dipole forces.

Temporary dipole-induced dipole forces(Dispersion forces or London forces)

1) Electrons are mobile, and constantly revolving around the nucleus. Even in non-
polar molecules, there is a high possibility that at any given instant, the electron
density is higher on one side than the other.

2) This will result in the formation of temporary dipole(or instantaneous dipole)

because it only lasts for just a tiny fraction of time.

3) In the next instance, the distribution of electron density will change and the
molecule has a new temporary dipole.

4) The temporary dipole set up can distort the

electron charge clouds of the neighbouring
molecules, giving rise to induced dipoles.

5) The forces of attraction between

temporary dipoles and induced dipoles
give rise to dispersion forces.

6) All molecules(polar and non-polar) will experience dispersion forces. For

polar molecules, permanent dipole-dipole forces exist in addition with
dispersion forces.

Factors affecting strength of dispersion forces

1) Number of electrons in the molecule(Size of molecule)

- As the number of electrons increases, the size of the molecule also increase.
- This causes the attraction between the nucleus and the electrons to get weaker, the
electrons become progressively easier to be distorted.
- This causes more temporary dipoles to be set up and the dispersion forces get
stronger.
- The boiling point of halogens increases going down the Group. The size of the
molecules increases and thus the van der Waals' forces become stronger.

2) Number of contact points between the molecules(Surface area)

- For two molecules of the same number of electrons, the one which has a larger
surface area has more contact points between the molecules.
- The more contact points between molecules, more temporary dipoles can be set
up and the dispersion forces become stronger.
 - Butane is a long chain molecule while 2-methypropane is more spherical
(more compact). This causes the number of contact point between butane
molecules to be more than in 2-methypropane.
- Therefore the van der Waals' forces of
attraction in butane is stronger than in 2-
methypropane. This causes the boiling
point of butane to be higher.

Hydrogen bonding

1) Hydrogen bond is the electrostatic force of attraction between a hydrogen atom

(which is covalently bonded to a small and highly electronegative atom) and the
lone pair of electrons of another small and highly electronegative atom.

2) The 'small and highly electronegative atoms' are fluorine, oxygen and nitrogen.

3) The conditions necessary for forming hydrogen bonds:

i. a hydrogen atom bonded directly to a small and electronegative atom,
causing it to acquire a significant amount of partial positive charge.
ii. a lone pair of electrons from the small and electronegative atom.

4) The attraction between the hydrogen atom and the lone pair of electrons
constitutes the hydrogen bond.

5) The evidence of hydrogen bonding:

- H2O, HF and NH3 have
exceptionally high boiling points
compared to other compounds
with greater number of electrons.
- This suggests that there must be an
additional intermolecular force
other than van der Waals' forces
exists between them.
- This additional intermolecular force is called the hydrogen bond.

6) H2O has a higher boiling point compared to NH3 and HF. This is because a H2O
molecule can form, on average four hydrogen bonds. In NH3, the number of
hydrogen bonds is restricted by the one lone pair of electrons in the NH3
molecule. In HF, it is restricted by the number of hydrogen atoms.
The peculiar properties of water

1) Solid ice is less dense than liquid water

- Most solids are denser than their liquids, this is because in the solid state, the
molecules are packed closer and occupies smaller volume.
- However, solid ice is less dense than liquid water.
- This is because in the solid state, the water
molecules are bonded to each other through
hydrogen bonding to form a giant
3-dimensional tetrahedral structure. This
structure has a lot of empty spaces in between
the water molecules.
- When heat is supplied, some of the hydrogen bond breaks down and the rigid
structure collapses, filling up the spaces in between them, thus decreasing the
volume occupied and increasing its density.

2) Solubility of substances in water

- Most covalent compounds are not soluble water while ionic compounds are.
- However, some covalent compounds are soluble in water because they can form
hydrogen bonds with water, some examples are ammonia and alcohols

3) High boiling point of water

- The boiling point of water is exceptionally high compared to other Group 16
hydrides(see graph at page 21).
- This is because water molecules are capable of forming hydrogen bonds
between themselves. This additional type of intermolecular forces increases its
boiling point significantly.

4) High surface tension and viscosity

- Water has a high viscosity. This is because hydrogen bonding reduces the
ability of water to slide over each other, making it more viscous.
- Water has a high surface tension. This is because hydrogen bonds also exert a
significant downward force at the surface of liquid.
4.6 Metallic Bonding
Metallic bonds

1) Metallic bond is the electrostatic force of attraction between the delocalised

electrons and the positive metal ions.

2) Take sodium as an example, in the solid state,

sodium atoms are packed so closely together that the 3s
orbitals(containing an electron) overlap with one
another to form a giant molecular orbital.

3) The 3s electrons is then free to move throughout the

lattice structure, it is no longer bound to any sodium
atom. The electrons are said to be delocalised. The delocalised electrons are sometimes
referred to as 'sea of delocalised electrons'.

4) The attraction between the delocalised electrons and the positive metal ions
constitutes the metallic bond.

Factors affecting the strength of metallic bonds

1) Number of electrons in the sea of delocalised electrons

- The more the number of electrons delocalised, the stronger the metallic
bond.
- For example, the melting point of magnesium is higher than sodium.
- This is because one magnesium atom can donate two electrons from its outer
shell into the sea of delocalised electrons while sodium can only donate one.
- There is twice amount of delocalised electrons in magnesium than in sodium. So,
the metallic bond in magnesium is stronger due to the stronger attraction.

2) Size of the metal

- The smaller the size of the metal, the stronger the metallic bond.
- For example, the melting point of magnesium is lower than beryllium
although both of them have two electrons delocalised per atom.
- This is because the size of magnesium is bigger, causing the attraction between the
delocalised electrons and the positive nucleus to be weaker. The shielding effect in
magnesium is also more than in beryllium.
- So, the metallic bond in magnesium is weaker than in beryllium.
4.7 Bonding and Physical Properties of Substances
Physical state at room temperature

1) Ionic compounds
- Ionic compounds are solids at room temperature, this is because the ionic
bond holding the oppositely-charged ions is very strong, a lot of energy is
required to overcome the strong forces of attraction.

2) Covalent compounds
- Most simple covalent molecules(like water and ammonia) are liquids or gases at
room temperature. This is because the intermolecular force between the
molecules is weak, little energy is required to overcome it.
- Some simple covalent molecules(like iodine) are solids because the
intermolecular force between them is strong enough.
- For giant covalent structures(like diamond and silicon dioxide), they are solids at
room temperature. This is because the covalent bonds holding the atoms are very
strong, a lot of energy is required to overcome it.

3) Metals
- Metals(except mercury) are solids at room temperature. This is because the
metallic bond holding the metal ions is very strong, a lot of energy is required
to overcome it.

Electrical conductivity

1) Ionic compounds
- Ionic compounds do not conduct electricity in the solid state, this is because the
ions are not free to move.
- In the molten or aqueous state, it conducts electricity because the ions are free to
move(mobile ions are present).

2) Covalent compounds
- Simple covalent molecules do not conduct electricity because the ions are not
free to move.
- Some giant covalent structures(like graphite) are able to conduct electricity
because the electrons are free to move(delocalised). (See also Chapter 5)
3) Metals
- Metals conduct electricity because the delocalised electrons are free to move.

Solubility

1) Ionic compounds
- Most ionic compounds are soluble in water(polar solvents) and insoluble in
non-polar solvents.
- This is because in non-polar solvents, the molecules are held together by weak
intermolecular forces. The ionic bonds in ionic compounds are much stronger and
the energy needed to break them is high. If ion-solvent bonds are formed, the
energy released is not enough to compensate the energy absorbed, making
the entire structure unstable.
[ Note: To form ion-solvent bonds, the ion-ion(ionic bond) and solvent-solvent
(van der Waal's forces) bonds must be broken first. ]
- While in polar molecules, there is an attraction between polar molecules and
the ions. So, the energy released when ion-solvent bonds are formed is
enough to compensate the energy needed to break the strong ionic bonds.

2) Covalent compounds
- This is because when a covalent molecule is dissolved in a non-polar solvent, the
molecule-solvent attraction is strong enough to compensate the energy needed to
break the weak van der Waal's forces between covalent molecules.
- While when dissolved in polar solvents, the energy needed to break the
attractions in polar solvents is too high. The energy released when molecule-
solvent attraction set up is not enough to compensate it. This makes the
structure to gain energy overall, making it less stable.
- Some covalent compounds react with water rather than dissolving in it. For
example, hydrogen chloride reacts with water to form hydrogen ions and
chloride ions, and the ions are soluble.

3) Metals
- Metals do not dissolve in polar and non-polar solvents.
- However, some metals like sodium and calcium can react with water.
CHAPTER 5: States of Matter
5.1 The Gaseous State
5.2 The Liquid State
5.3 The Solid State
5.4 Ceramics
5.5 Conserving Materials

Learning outcomes:

(a) state the basic assumptions of the kinetic theory as applied to an ideal gas.
(b) explain qualitatively in terms of intermolecular forces and molecular size:
(i) the conditions necessary for a gas to approach ideal behaviour.
(ii) the limitations of ideality at very high pressures and very low temperatures.
(c) state and use the general gas equation pV = nRT in calculations, including the
determination of Mr.
(d) describe, using a kinetic-molecular model: the liquid state, melting, vaporisation,
vapour pressure.
(e) describe, in simple terms, the lattice structure of a crystalline solid which is:
(i) ionic, as in sodium chloride, magnesium oxide.
(ii) simple molecular, as in iodine.
(iii) giant molecular, as in silicon(IV) oxide and the graphite and diamond allotropes of
carbon.
(iv) hydrogen-bonded, as in ice.
(v) metallic, as in copper.
[the concept of the ‘unit cell’ is not required]
(f) explain the strength, high melting point and electrical insulating properties of ceramics
in terms of their giant molecular structure.
(g) relate the uses of ceramics, based on magnesium oxide, aluminium oxide and
silicon(IV) oxide, to their properties (suitable examples include furnace linings, electrical
insulators, glass, crockery).
(h) discuss the finite nature of materials as a resource and the importance of recycling
processes.
(i) outline the importance of hydrogen bonding to the physical properties of substances,
including ice and water (for example, boiling and melting points, viscosity and surface
tension).
(j) suggest from quoted physical data the type of structure and bonding present in a substance.
5.1 The Gaseous State
Kinetic theory of gases

1) Assumptions made in the kinetic theory of gases as applied to ideal gases:

- The gas particles have zero intermolecular forces between them.
- The gas particles behave as point particles which have negligible volume.
- The gas particles are in constant random motion, colliding with each other and
the wall of the container frequently.
- All collisions between the gas particles are perfectly elastic.
- Pressure is due to the collision of gas particles with the wall of container.

2) In the gaseous state, the particles can move freely and are far apart.

3) A gas has no fixed shape and volume, it takes the shape of

container and always fills it. The volume of a gas depends on its
pressure, temperature and number of moles.

Ideal gas and real gas

1) A real gas is most like an ideal gas at:

i. low pressures
- At low pressures, the distance between gas particles is large and the volume of
the gas particles is negligible(very small compared to the volume of the
container).
- Intermolecular forces are also negligible at low pressures.
ii. high temperatures(well above its boiling point)
- At high temperatures, the gas particles have negligible intermolecular forces
between them because they have sufficient energy to overcome it.

2) However, an ideal gas does not exist, because:

i. there are intermolecular forces between the gas particles.
ii. the volume occupied by the gas particles is not zero.

3) A real gas shows biggest deviation from an ideal gas at:

i. high pressures
- At high pressures, the gas particles are packed close together, thus the
volume occupied by the gas particles is not negligible.
- The intermolecular forces between them is also not negligible.
 ii. low temperature
- At low temperatures, the gas particles are packed close together, thus the
volume occupied by the gas particles is not negligible.
- The intermolecular forces between them is also not negligible because they do
not have sufficient energy to overcome it.

The general gas equation

Side note
1) 1 atm = 1.01 x 10⁵ Pa
2) (x) °C = (x + 273) K
3) 1 m³ = 1000 dm³
= 1000000 cm³
4) At s.t.p:
- p = 1.01 x 10⁵ Pa
- T = 273 K

← Boyle's Law

← Charles' Law
5.2 The Liquid State
Kinetic theory of liquids

1) In liquids, the particles are packed quite closely together but in a

fairly random arrangement(gaps are present between them).
So, the particles have limited movements.

2) A liquid has fixed volume but do not have fixed shape.

3) Intermolecular forces are present between the particles, its strength is stronger
than in the gaseous state but weaker than in the solid state.

Melting and freezing

1) When a solid is heated, the energy is absorbed by the particles and they vibrate
about their fixed positions more vigorously.

2) Then, a point is reached where the particles have energy high enough to
overcome the attractive forces that hold them in fixed positions. They break
away from their fixed positions and move freely.

3) The solid then becomes a liquid, this process is called melting. The
temperature at which this process happens is called the melting point.

4) In freezing, the reverse happens. The liquid particles lose energy until they do not
have enough energy to move freely. They are held together in fixed positions again.
The liquid solidifies.

Boiling(vapourisation) and condensation

1) When a liquid is heated, the vapour pressure of the liquid increases until
eventually it is equal to the atmospheric pressure. Bubbles of vapour will form in
the body of liquid.

2) The bubbles then rise to the surface of the liquid, burst open and escape into the
atmosphere as a gas. The liquid boils.
3) This happens because when a liquid is heated, the particles absorb energy until it is
sufficient to overcome the forces of attraction between them. The particles break
away from the fairly close arrangement of the liquid and boils.

4) This process is called boiling. The temperature at which this process happens is
called the boiling point.
i. Boiling point depends on external pressure. If a liquid boils under a pressure
lower than the atmospheric pressure(1 atm), it will boil faster.
ii. Conversely, if it boils at a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure, it will
boil slower.

5) In condensation, the reverse happens, the particles lose energy and experience
increasing attractive force. They move slower and become closer together when
temperature is sufficiently low. The gas liquefies.

Evaporation and vapour pressure

1) The energy distribution of particles in the liquid state follows a shape similar to the
normal distribution.

2) The average energy is governed by the

temperature. The higher the temperature, the
higher the average energy.

3) Some particles have energy higher than the

average while some have lower. The more
energetic particles at the surface of the liquid can
be moving fast enough and eventually overcome the attractive forces and escape
into the atmosphere. They evaporate to form vapour(Vapour is the gas form of
a particle below its boiling point).

4) Unlike boiling, evaporation only takes place on the surface of the liquid.

5) In an open container, the liquid will evaporate until none is left.

6) However, a different thing happens when the liquid is evaporated in a closed
container.

7) At first, liquid particles with higher energy escape from the surface of the liquid to
become vapour. The vapour particles will collide with the wall of container. The
collisions exert a pressure called vapour pressure.

8) As more and more particles escape, the vapour particles become close together.
Eventually the particles with lower energy will not be able to overcome the
attractive forces between them. The vapour begins to condense and return to liquid.

9) Eventually the vapour particles return

to liquid at the same rate as the liquid
particles evaporate to form vapour. An
equilibrium is reached. At this
equilibrium, the concentration of liquid
particles and vapour particles remains
constant.

10) In this situation, the vapour pressure is

maximum and is called the saturated vapour pressure.

11) Vapour pressure will increase when temperature is increased. At higher

temperature, more liquid can undergo evaporation. The vapour particles are
more energetic and collide with the wall of container harder and more
frequently. This causes the pressure exerted to be higher.
5.3 The Solid State
Kinetic theory of solids

1) In solids, very strong forces of attraction hold the particles in

fixed positions and close to each other. Hence, particles
in the solid state can only rotate and cannot translate.

2) A solid has fixed shape and volume.

3) The structure of solids can be crystalline or amorphous.

i. In crystalline solids, the particles are arranged in a regular and orderly
pattern called a lattice structure.
ii. In amorphous solids, the particles do not have a regular and orderly
arrangement. Examples are rubber and plastic.

Ionic lattices

1) An example of ionic lattice is sodium chloride, NaCl, where strong ionic bonds
hold the Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions rigidly in place in the solid lattice.

2) Sodium chloride has a face-centred cubic structure. In this structure, each ion
is surrounded by six other oppositely-charged ions. So, sodium chloride is
described as 6:6-co-ordinated.

3) Some other examples with face-centred cubic structure are magnesium chloride and
magnesium oxide.

4) Another example is caesium chloride, CsCl, which has a body-centred cubic

structure. In this structure, each ion is surrounded by eight other oppositely-
charged ions. So, caesium chloride is described as 8:8-co-ordinated.

5) This is just like layers of oppositely-charged ions stacking on each other.

6) Properties of ionic compounds:(For more detailed discussions, see Chapter 4)
i. They are hard
- This is because the ionic bonds within are very strong. A lot of energy is
required to split them apart.
ii. They have high melting and boiling points
- This is because the ionic bonds within are very strong. A lot of energy is
required to break the bonds.
iii. They are brittle
- This is because when a stress is applied, the
layers of ions may be displaced by
the force.
- This brings ions with the same charge
together and the repulsion between
them causes the crystal to split.
iv.They conduct electricity in
the molten or aqueous state
- This is because in the molten or aqueous state, free moving ions are present to
carry the current.
v.Many of them are soluble in water(polar solvents) but insoluble
in non-polar solvents
- This is because when ion-polar solvent attraction is set up, the energy
released is enough to compensate the energy needed to break the ionic
bonds.

Simple molecular lattices

1) An example of simple molecular lattice is iodine, I2. Solid iodine has a face-
centred cubic structure.
2) Weak van der Waals' forces of attraction hold the individual iodine molecules
together.

3) Properties of simple molecular solids:(For more detailed discussions, see

Chapter 4)
i. They do not conduct electricity in any state
- This is because there are no free electrons to carry the current.
ii. They have low melting and boiling points
- This is because the van der Waals' forces of attraction between them is
weak, little energy is required to overcome it.
iii. They are soluble in non-polar solvents but insoluble in
water(polar solvents)
- This is because the molecule-non-polar solvent attraction set up is enough to
compensate the energy needed to break the weak van der Waals' forces of
attraction between the simple molecules.

Giant covalent lattices

1) In giant covalent structures, all the atoms are covalently-bonded to

each other, linking the whole structure. An example of giant covalent lattice
is silicon(IV) oxide or silicon dioxide, SiO2.

2) In silicon dioxide, each silicon atom is

covalently-bonded to four oxygen
atoms in a tetrahedral arrangement
while each oxygen atom is covalently-
bonded to two silicon atoms in a
V-shaped(bent) arrangement.

3) Properties of silicon dioxide:

i. Very high melting and boiling points
- The covalent bonds holding the atoms are very strong, a lot of energy is
required to break these strong bonds.
ii. Very hard
- This is because of the need to break the strong covalent bonds
iii. Does not conduct electricity
- This is because there are no delocalised electrons to move around and carry the
current. All the electrons are held tightly to the atoms.
4) Another two examples are diamond and graphite. Both of them are allotropes of
carbon.

5) Allotropes are different crystalline or molecular forms of the same element in the
same physical state, having different atomic arrangement.

6) In diamond, all the carbon atoms undergo sp³ hybridisation and

covalently-bonded to four other carbon atoms in a
tetrahedral arrangement. This network of carbon
extends throughout the whole structure.

7) The properties of diamond are same as the ones in silicon dioxide.

8) In graphite, the carbon atoms undergo sp² hybridisation.

Each carbon atom is covalently-bonded to three other
carbon atoms in a trigonal planar arrangement
within each layer, forming hexagons.

9) The unhybridised p orbital in each planar layers

overlap sideways to form a giant molecular
orbital above and below each layer. The
electrons are then delocalised, free to move between
the layers
of carbon. However, the electrons cannot move from one layer to another.

10) The distance between carbon atoms between the

layers is greater than the distance between
carbon atoms in each layer.

11) Properties of graphite:

i. Very high melting and boiling points
- This is because the covalent bonds
holding the carbon atoms with each layer is very strong, a lot of energy is required
to overcome the strong forces of attraction.
- In fact, it has a higher melting point than diamond because of the
additional attraction between the delocalised electrons and the nucleus.
Dispersion forces are also present, this is because the delocalised electrons can
set up a temporary dipole easily.
ii. Soft and slippery
- Layers of carbons can slide over easily, this is because the intermolecular
forces between the layers are very weak.
 - Because of this, graphite is often used as pencil 'leads' and lubricants.
iii. Conducts electricity
- It can conduct electricity in the direction parallel to each layer but not
perpendicular to it.
- This is because the delocalised electrons are free to move between the
layers but not from one layer to another.

Metallic lattices

1) An example of metallic lattice is copper, Cu. In copper, each copper atom is surrounded
by twelve other copper atoms. Therefore, copper is a
12-co-ordinated metal.

Three other copper

Six copper atoms atoms surround it up
surround it in a layer and down.
3) The copper atoms are bonded to each other through strong metallic bonding. (For
more information about metallic bonding, refer Chapter 4)

4) Another example is sodium. In sodium, each

sodium atom is surrounded by eight other
sodium atoms only. Therefore, sodium is a
8-co-ordinated metal.
In the first diagram, no atoms are
5) Properties of metals: touching each other in a layer.
i. High melting and boiling points
- This is because the metallic bonds are very strong, a lot of energy is required to
break these strong bonds.
ii. Conducts heat and electricity
- This is because delocalised electrons are present and free to move.
iii. Ductile and malleable
- Metals are ductile(can be
pulled into wires) and
malleable(can be
hammered into different
shapes). This is because the layers of metals can slide over each other, the
broken metallic bonds can be immediately replaced by the new ones.
5.4 Ceramics
Ceramics

1) A ceramic is an inorganic non-metallic solid which is prepared by heating a

substance or mixture of substances to a high temperature.

2) Ceramics often contain silicon dioxide, magnesium oxide and aluminium oxide.
This gives ceramics their giant covalent or ionic structures.

3) Properties of ceramics:
i. Very high melting and boiling points
- This is because most ceramics contain giant covalent or ionic structures. The
covalent or ionic bonds holding them together is very strong, a lot of
energy is required to overcome it.
ii. Does not conduct electricity or heat
- This is because there are no delocalised electrons or free moving ions
present. Therefore most of them are electrical insulators.
iii. Chemically unreactive
- This is because all the electrons are held firmly in strong covalent bonds and not
available for a reaction.
iv.Very hard
- This is because the ionic or covalent bonds holding them is very strong.

Uses of ceramics

1) Ceramics containing magnesium oxide are used:

- as electrical insulators in industrial electrical cables.
- as a refractory in furnace linings because it has a high melting point.
- in fire-resistant wall boards.

2) Ceramics containing aluminium oxide are used:

- as a refractory in furnace linings because it has a high melting point.
- as an abrasive for grinding hard materials because they do not conduct heat or
melt when heat is given off during grinding.
- in transparent aluminium oxide-scandium windows.
- in high temperature and high voltage electrical insulators.
- in the replacement of artificial hip joints.
3) Ceramics containing silicon dioxide are used:
- as a refractory in furnace linings because it has a high melting point.
- as a abrasive, for example in sandpaper.
- in the manufacture of glass.

5.5 Conserving Materials

Why conserve materials?

1) There is only a limited supply of metal ores in the Earth. Therefore metals are
finite resources. They do not get replaced once they are used up.

Ways to conserve materials

1) One way to conserve materials is through recycling.

2) Advantages of recycling:
i. Recycling saves new resources.
ii. Recycling reduces the amount of waste materials to be disposed off.
iii. Recycling saves energy because less energy is needed to recycle metals than to extract
it from their ores.
iv.Recycling protects the environment because it reduces pollution associated with
product manufacture, disposal and littering. For example, the process of
extracting metals produces gases which can lead to acid rain.

3) Two metals that can be recycled easily are copper and aluminium. Glass can also
be recycled easily.

4) Another way to conserve materials is using renewable resources. Examples

are like water, wood, sunlight, wind and etcetera.
CHAPTER 6: Chemical Energetics
6.1 Enthalpy Changes
6.2 Standard Enthalpy Changes
6.3 Hess' Law
6.4 Bond Energy

Learning outcomes:

(a) explain that some chemical reactions are accompanied by energy changes, principally in
the form of heat energy; the energy changes can be exothermic (∆H, negative) or
endothermic.
(b) explain and use the terms:
(i) enthalpy change of reaction and standard conditions, with particular reference
to: formation, combustion, hydration, solution, neutralisation, atomisation.
(ii) bond energy (∆H positive, i.e. bond breaking).
(c) calculate enthalpy changes from appropriate experimental results, including the use of
the relationship enthalpy change, ∆H = –mc∆T.
(d) apply Hess’ Law to construct simple energy cycles, and carry out calculations involving
such
cycles and relevant energy terms, with particular reference to:
(i) determining enthalpy changes that cannot be found by direct experiment, e.g. an
enthalpy change of formation from enthalpy changes of combustion.
(ii) average bond energies.
(e) construct and interpret a reaction pathway diagram, in terms of the enthalpy change of
the reaction and of the activation energy.
6.1 Enthalpy Changes
Exothermic and endothermic reactions

1) Most chemical reactions are accompanied by energy changes. Some

absorbs energy while some releases it.

2) An exothermic reaction is a reaction that releases energy to the

surroundings. Therefore the product contain less energy with respect to
the reactants. The energy is released as heat energy, so the surroundings
warm up.

3) An endothermic reaction is a reaction that absorbs energy from the

surroundings. Therefore the products contain more energy with respect to the
reactants. The energy is absorbed as heat energy, so the surroundings cool
down.

4) An energy level diagram shows the relative energies of the products

and reactants. The higher its energy, the higher its position.

An exothermic reaction An endothermic reaction

5)i. Examples of exothermic reactions are neutralisation, combustion,

dissolving anhydrous salts and the reaction between acids and metal
carbonates.
ii. Examples of endothermic reactions are atomisation, photosynthesis,
dissolving crystalline salts and thermal decomposition.

Enthalpy changes

1) Enthalpy, H is an indication of the total energy of a substance and it

cannot be measured directly. However, enthalpy change, ∆H is measurable.
2) Enthalpy change of a reaction, ∆H is the heat change(heat is absorbed or
evolved) when a chemical reaction takes place.

3) i. In exothermic reactions, the enthalpy change is always negative.(∆H < 0)

ii. In endothermic reactions, the enthalpy change is always positive.(∆H > 0)

Energetic stability of a system

1) Exothermic reactions are more energetically favourable than endothermic

ones because a system with lower energy content is more stable.

2) Thus, the more negative the ∆H value, the more stable the system is.

3) For example, oxygen,O2 is energetically

more stable than ozone, O3. Their relative
positions on the energy level diagram are as
follow:

4) But ozone does not convert to

oxygen immediately in atmosphere, this is
because ozone is kinetically stable although it is
energetically unstable with respect to the
products. The
activation energy is not sufficient for the reaction to take place.

Measuring enthalpy changes

1) Enthalpy changes can be measured experimentally by measuring

the temperature change as a reaction proceeds. Two common examples
are measuring the enthalpy change of neutralisation and combustion.

2) The formulae:

where m = mass of substance(or solution)/g

Heat energy absorbed c = specific heat capacity of solution/J g⁻¹ °C⁻¹
= mc∆T (c is normally assumed to be 4.18 J g⁻¹ °C⁻¹)
or released
∆T = change in temperature/°C

heat energy absorbed or released

∆H = Unit = kJ mol⁻¹
no. of moles of the limiting reagent
3) Assumptions made in this calculation:
- The density of all aqueous solution is 1 g cm⁻³. Thus, numerically, 1 cm³ = 1 g.
- The solution has the same specific heat capacity as water(4.18 J g⁻¹ °C⁻¹).

4) An example - to calculate the enthalpy change of the reaction

between sodium hydroxide, NaOH(aq) and hydrochloric acid,
HCl(aq). NaOH(aq) + HCl(aq) → NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)

i. Pour 25 cm³ of NaOH into 25 cm³ of

HCl in a polystyrene cup(polystyrene cup is
used
because it is a good heat insulator). Both solutions
have concentrations of 1.0 mol dm⁻³.
ii. Measure the initial and maximum
temperature reached.
iii. For example, the mean initial
temperature of both solutions is 18.1 °C and the
maximum temperature reached is 24.8 °C.
Then, ΔT = 6.7 °C.
iv. Mass of both solutions is (25+25) x 1 = 50 g since density =
mass/volume.
v. Therefore heat released = 50 x 4.18 x 6.7 = 1400 J = 1.4 kJ
vi. Number of moles of water = 0.025 mol
vii. Therefore ΔH = -(1.4/0.025) = -56 kJ mol⁻¹

5) Another example - to calculate the enthalpy change of the reaction of

combustion of ethanol, C2H5OH.
C2H5OH(l) + 3O2(g) → 2CO2(g) + 3H2O(g)

i. In this experiment, a spirit burner is used

to combust the flammable liquid ethanol. The
heat evolved is used to heat up the water, the
maximum temperature reached is then measured.
ii. Mass of water = 250 g
Initial temperature of water = 19.5 °C
Maximum temperature of water = 23.7 °C
Initial mass of ethanol = 41.36 g
Final mass of ethanol = 41.18 g
iii. Therefore, ΔT = 4.2 °C and m = 250 g.
iv. Heat released = 250 x 4.18 x 4.2 = 4389 J = 4.389 kJ
v. Number of moles of ethanol burned = 0.18/46 = 0.0039 mol
vi. Therefore ΔH = -(4.389/0.0039) = -1100 kJ mol⁻¹ (2 s.f)
6.2 Standard Enthalpy Changes
The standard condition

1) To make comparison of enthalpy changes a fair comparison, same

conditions must be used. These are called the standard conditions:
- A pressure of 100 kPa(approximately atmospheric pressure).
- A temperature of 298 K or 25 °C.
- Where solutions are involved, a concentration of 1.0 mol dm⁻³.
- Every substance involved must be in its normal physical state at 100
kPa and 298 K. For example, water is in liquid, not ice or
steam.
- If allotropes are involved, the allotrope which is more energetically stable is
used. For example, for carbon, graphite is chosen over diamond
because graphite is energetically more stable than diamond.

2) Standard enthalpy changes can be represented by the symbol ΔH°. This

refers that the reaction is carried out under standard conditions. For example:

CH4(g) + 2O2(g) → CO2(g) + 2H2O(l) ; ΔH° = -890.3 kJ mol⁻¹

Various enthalpy changes

1) Enthalpy changes are described according to the type of reaction.

Examples:
- standard enthalpy change of reaction, ΔH°r (in general)
- standard enthalpy change of formation, ΔH°f
- standard enthalpy change of combustion, ΔH°c
- standard enthalpy change of neutralisation, ΔH°n
- standard enthalpy change of atomisation, ΔH°at
- standard enthalpy change of solution, ΔH°sol
- standard enthalpy change of hydration, ΔH°hyd

Standard enthalpy change of reaction, ΔH°r

1) Standard enthalpy change of reaction, ΔH°r is the enthalpy change when the
amount of reactants shown in the equation react to give products under
standard condition. The reactants and products must be in their standard
states.

2H2(g) + O2(g) → 2H2O(l) ; ΔH°r = -576 kJ mol⁻¹

2) The equation shows that 576 kJ of energy is released when two
moles of hydrogen react with one mole of oxygen to give two moles of
water.

3) This is a theoretical reaction, it does not happen in practice. The

enthalpy change can be found by applying Hess' law.

Standard enthalpy change of for mation, ΔH°f

1) Standard enthalpy change of formation, ΔH°f is the enthalpy change when one
mole of a compound is formed from its elements under standard condition.
The reactants and products must be in their standard states.

2Fe(s) + 1½O2(g) → Fe2O3(s) ; ΔH°f [ Fe2O3(s) ] = -824.5 kJ mol⁻¹

2) By definition, the standard enthalpy change of formation of an element is

zero.

3) The standard enthalpy change of formation can be exothermic or

endothermic.

Standard enthalpy change of combustion, ΔH°c

1) Standard enthalpy change of combustion, ΔH°c is the enthalpy change when one
mole of a substance is burnt in excess oxygen under standard conditions. The
reactants and products must be in their standard states.

CH4(g) + 2O2(g) → CO2(g) + 2H2O(l) ; ΔH°c [ CH4(g) ] = -890.3 kJ mol⁻¹

2) The standard enthalpy change of combustion is always exothermic.

Standard enthalpy change of neutralisation, ΔH°n

1) Standard enthalpy change of neutralisation, ΔH°n is the enthalpy change

when one mole of water is formed by the reaction of an acid with an alkali
under standard conditions.

HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) → NaCl(aq) + H2O(l) ; ΔH°n = -57.1 kJ mol⁻¹

2) For any acid-alkali reaction, the ionic equation is:

H⁺(aq) + OH⁻(aq) → H2O(l)

3) The enthalpy change of neutralisation between strong acids and strong
bases is a constant(-57.1 kJ mol⁻¹). This is because all strong acids and strong
bases dissociate completely in water to form aqueous ions.

4) So, neutralisation between strong acids and strong bases involves the
same reaction, that is, H⁺ reacts with OH⁻ to form H2O. The other ions
present are just simply spectator ions. They do not take part in the reaction.
Hence, the heat released is the same.

5) However, the enthalpy change of neutralisation between sulfuric acid and

sodium hydroxide is more exothermic(-66.8 kJ mol⁻¹) than expected. This is
because the enthalpy change of dilution of sufuric acid is significant. When
sulfuric acid is added to sodium hydroxide, the acid is diluted in the process and
heat is released.

6) The enthalpy change of neutralisation involving weak acids or weak bases is

less than 57.1 kJ mol⁻¹. For example:
CH3COOH(aq) + NaOH(aq) → CH3COONa(aq) + H2O(l) ;
ΔH°n = -56.1 kJ mol⁻¹
NaOH(aq) + HCN(aq) → NaCN(aq) + H2O(l) ; ΔH°n = -11.7 kJ mol⁻¹

7) This is because weak acids and weak bases only partially dissociated in
water. For example:
CH3COOH(aq) ⇌ CH3COO⁻(aq) + H⁺(aq) ; ΔH° = positive
8) On addition of strong base such as NaOH, the OH⁻ ions react with H⁺
from the dissociation of CH3COOH. The removal of H⁺ ions causes the
position of equilibrium to shift to the right and more CH3COOH molecules
dissociate. However the dissociation of CH3COOH is an endothermic
process, hence, some energy is absorbed and the enthalpy change overall is
less negative.

9) The standard enthalpy change of neutralisation is always

exothermic.

Standard enthalpy change of atomisation, ΔH°at

1) Standard enthalpy change of atomisation, ΔH°at is the enthalpy change when one
mole of gases atoms is formed from its element under standard conditions.

½H2(g) → H(g) ; ΔH°at [ ½H2 ] = +218 kJ mol⁻¹

Na(s) → Na(g) ; ΔH°at [ Na ] = +107 kJ mol⁻¹
2) By definition, the standard enthalpy change of atomisation of the noble gases
is zero because all of them exist as monoatomic gases at standard conditions.

3) The standard enthalpy change of atomisation of diatomic

gases(example: O2, Cl2, N2 and F2) is equal to half the value of their bond
energies.

4) The standard enthalpy change of atomisation is always endothermic.

Standard enthalpy change of solution, ΔH°sol

1) Standard enthalpy change of solution, ΔH°sol is the enthalpy change when one
mole of solute is dissolved in a solvent to form an infinitely dilute solution
under standard conditions.

NaCl(s) + aq → NaCl(aq) ; ΔH°sol = +6.0 kJ mol⁻¹

NaOH(s) + aq → NaOH(aq) ; ΔH°sol = -44.5 kJ mol⁻¹

2) An infinitely dilute solution is one which does not produce any further
enthalpy change when more solvent is added.

3) The standard enthalpy change of solution can be exothermic or

endothermic.

Standard enthalpy change of hydration, ΔH°hyd

1) Standard enthalpy change of hydration, ΔH°hyd is the enthalpy change when

one mole of gases ions dissolves in water to form hydrated ions of infinite
dilution under standard conditions.

Ca²⁺(g) + aq → Ca²⁺(aq) ; ΔH°hyd = -1650 kJ mol⁻¹

2) Water is a polar molecule, this means that it has a negative end and a
positive end. The negative end of the water molecule will be attracted to
the cations while the positive end of the water molecule will be attracted to
the anions.

3) The attraction set up is called the ion-dipole forces.

4) The standard enthalpy change of hydration is always exothermic.

6.3 Hess' Law
Hess' law and Hess' cycle

1) Hess' law states that the total enthalpy change in a chemical reaction
is independent of the route which the reaction takes place as long as the initial
and final conditions are the same.

2) For example, the enthalpy change of reaction from A to C is the same

whether the reaction takes place in one stage(A to C) or two stages(A to B then
to C).

3) This is because the enthalpy change of a chemical reaction depends only

on the difference between enthalpy of the products and the reactants. It does not
depend on how the reaction took place.

4) Hess' law is useful to calculate enthalpy changes that cannot be

measured directly from experiments(theoretical reactions that will not
occur under standard conditions).

5) Steps to construct a Hess' cycle:

i. Write down the equation for the enthalpy change that you are asked to
find and write ΔH on top of the arrow.
ii. Use the information that you have been given to complete a cycle.
iii. Find the direct route and indirect route. The routes should not go
against any arrows. (Equations may be reversed when necessary, but do not
forget to reverse the sign as well.)
iv. Apply Hess' law and form an equation to solve for ΔH.
6) Examples:

6.4 Bond Energy

Bond breaking and bond forming

1)i. Breaking bonds needs energy, energy is absorbed from the

surroundings. Therefore, bond breaking is an endothermic process.
ii. Forming bonds releases energy to the surroundings. Therefore, bond forming
is an exothermic process.

2)i. If the energy needed to break bonds is less than the energy released when
new bonds are formed, then the reaction will be exothermic
ii. If the energy needed to break bonds is more than the energy released when
new bonds are formed, then the reaction will be endothermic.

3) In most chemical reactions, bonds have to be broken first and then

reformed into a new compound.
 An endothermic reaction An exothermic reaction
Bond energy

1) Bond energy, E is the energy needed to break one mole of covalent bonds
between two atoms in the gaseous state.

Br-Br(g) → 2Br(g) ; E(Br-Br) = +193 kJ mol⁻¹

2) Bond energy is often called bond enthalpy or bond dissociation

energy.

Average bond energy

1) Bond energy is often affected by the presence of other atoms in the

molecule. For example, the O-H bond in water has a different bond energy
value than the O-H bond in ethanol. Even in the same molecule, for example,
CH4, the energy needed to break all the C-H bonds are not identical.

2) Therefore, bond energies are taken from a number of bonds of the same
type from different environment and average out to get the average bond
energy. The values are not always accurate.
Hess' law involving average bond energy

1) Average bond energies can also be used to estimate enthalpy

changes of reactions involving covalent molecules

2) Example:

3) If the given reactants or products are not in the gaseous state,

enthalpy change of vaporisation or enthalpy change of fusion must be
considered because the non-gaseous compounds needed to be converted to the
gaseous state. Changing from other states to the gaseous state needs to absorb
extra energy.
CHAPTER 7: Redox Reactions and Electrolysis
7.1 Oxidation and Reduction
7.2 Electrolysis

Learning outcomes:

(a) (i) calculate oxidation numbers of elements in compounds and ions.

(ii) describe and explain redox processes in terms of electron transfer and/or changes
in oxidation number (oxidation state).
(iii) use changes in oxidation numbers to help balance chemical equations.
(b) explain, including the electrode reactions, the industrial processes of:
(i) the electrolysis of brine, using a diaphragm cell.
(ii) the extraction of aluminium from molten aluminium oxide/cryolite.
(iii) the electrolytic purification of copper.
7.1 Oxidation and Reduction
Redox reactions

1) Oxidation is:
i. gain of oxygen
ii. loss of hydrogen
iii. loss of electrons
iv.increase in oxidation number

2) Reduction is:
i. gain of hydrogen
ii. loss of oxygen
iii. gain of electrons
iv.decrease in oxidation number

3) Oxidation and reduction always occur simultaneously in a chemical reaction.

Such reaction is called a redox reaction. In a redox reaction, one substance
must be oxidised and another must be reduced.

4) i. An oxidising agent is a substance which oxidises another substance and itself is

reduced.
ii. A reducing agent is a substance which reduces another substance and itself is
oxidised.

5) In short, an oxidising agent undergoes reduction while a reducing agent

undergoes oxidation.

6) Disproportionation is a redox reaction in which both oxidation and

reduction occurs on the same atom. The atom is simultaneously oxidised and
reduced.
Oxidation state (oxidation number) of a substance

1) Oxidation state shows that total number of electrons which have been removed
from or added to an element to get to its present state.

2) i. When electrons have been removed, the oxidation number increases.(positive)

ii. When electrons have been added, the oxidation number decreases.(negative)

3) i. Since removing electrons is an oxidation process, therefore oxidation is the

increase in oxidation number
ii. Since adding electrons is a reduction process, therefore reduction is the
decrease in oxidation number.

3) For example, from V to V²⁺, two electrons have been removed, therefore the
oxidation state of is +2. From V to V³⁺, three electrons have been removed,
therefore the oxidation state is +3. Removing another electron gives:
V³⁺ + H2O → VO²⁺ + 2H⁺ + e⁻

Four electrons have been removed starting from V, therefore the oxidation state is
+4. In all cases, V has been oxidised.

4) Another example, from S to S²⁻, two electrons have been added, therefore the
oxidation state is -2. S is said to have been reduced.

Rules to determine oxidation numbers of a substance

1) All atoms in an atom, molecule or ion can be given an oxidation number.

2) The rules to determine the oxidation number of a substance:

i. All free atoms in elements have an oxidation number of zero.
e.g.

ii. For simple ions, the oxidation number is the same as the charge on the ion.
e.g.

iii. For polyatomic ion, the sum of all the oxidation numbers of the atoms in
the ion is equal to the charge of the ion.
 e.g.

iv.For a neutral covalent molecule, the sum of all the oxidation numbers of
the atoms in the molecule is equal to zero.

e.g.
Also, the more electronegative atom is always given a negative oxidation
number while the less electronegative atom is given a positive one.

v.For Group I and Group II elements, their oxidation number are always +1
and +2 respectively. For aluminium, it is always +3.

vi. For hydrogen, its oxidation number is always +1 except in metal hydrides.
For example, NaH, where its oxidation number is -1.

vii. For oxygen, its oxidation number is always -2 except in peroxides and
fluorine compounds. For example, BaO2, where its oxidation number is -1.

viii. For fluorine, its oxidation number is always -1, with no exceptions.

3) A summary:

4) To work out the oxidation number of a particular atom in a molecule/ ion, find the
sum of all the oxidation number of the atoms present and equate it to zero/
charge of the ion. An example:
Balancing redox equations

1) There are two methods to balance complicated redox equations:

i. Using electron half-equations.
ii. Using changes in oxidation number.

2) Using electron half-equations:

i. In this method, the redox equation is divided into two half-equations. One for
oxidation and another for reduction.
ii. Steps(in acidic condition):
- Divide the equation or information given into two half-equations.
- Balance all other elements other than oxygen and hydrogen.
- Balance the oxygen by adding H2O to the appropriate side of the equation.
- Balance the hydrogen by adding H⁺ to the appropriate side of the equation.
- Balance the charge by adding electrons to the appropriate side of the
equation.
- Combine two half-equations such that the electrons cancel out each other.
iii. An example:
Q: Balance and complete this equation:
Cr2O7²⁻ + Fe²⁺ → Cr³⁺ + Fe³⁺ A:
1) Divide into two equations:
Cr2O7²⁻ → Cr³⁺ ..........reduction
Fe²⁺ → Fe³⁺ ................oxidation

2) Balance the atoms:

Cr2O7²⁻ → 2Cr³⁺
Fe²⁺ → Fe³⁺

3) Balance the oxygen: Cr2O7²⁻

→ 2Cr³⁺ + 7H2O Fe²⁺ →
Fe³⁺

4) Balance the hydrogen:

Cr2O7²⁻ +14H⁺ → 2Cr³⁺ + 7H2O
Fe²⁺ → Fe³⁺

5) Balance the charge:

Cr2O7²⁻ +14H⁺ + 6e⁻ → 2Cr³⁺ + 7H2O Fe²⁺
→ Fe³⁺ + e⁻
 6) Cancel the electrons and combine the equations:
[ Cr2O7²⁻ +14H⁺ + 6e⁻ → 2Cr³⁺ + 7H2O ] x 1 [
Fe²⁺ → Fe³⁺ + e⁻ ]x6
the combine....
Cr2O7²⁻ +14H⁺ + 6e⁻ → 2Cr³⁺ + 7H2O
+ 6Fe²⁺ → 6Fe³⁺ + 6e⁻

Cr2O7²⁻ +14H⁺ + 6e⁻ + 6Fe²⁺ → 2Cr³⁺ + 7H2O + 6Fe³⁺ + 6e⁻ same

number of electrons on both sides, cancel it....
Cr2O7²⁻ +14H⁺ + 6Fe²⁺ → 2Cr³⁺ + 7H2O + 6Fe³⁺
is the final answer.

iv.Steps(in alkaline condition):

- Balance the equation as if it happens in an acidic condition first.
- Add OH⁻ to both sides of the equation to react with all the H⁺ to form H2O.
- Cancel the excess H2O on either side of the equation.
Note: If it is obvious enough that OH⁻ must be added in order to
balance the equation, then add OH⁻ instead.

3) Using changes in oxidation number:

i. This method utilises the fact that an increase in certain amount of oxidation
number in a substance must be accompanied by a decrease in same amount of
oxidation number in another substance.
ii. An example:
Q: Balance and complete this equation:
Cr2O7²⁻ + Fe²⁺ → Cr³⁺ + Fe³⁺
A: 1) Calculate the changes in oxidation number:
For Cr: +6 to +3, change is -3
For Fe: +2 to +3, change is +1
2) Balance the changes:
For Cr: -3(1) = -3
For Fe: +1(3) = +3
1Cr2O7²⁻ + 3Fe²⁺ → 1Cr³⁺ + 3Fe³⁺
3) Multiply everything by 2 except Cr2O7²⁻ because there are already two
atoms of chromium inside it.
Cr2O7²⁻ + 6Fe²⁺ → 2Cr³⁺ + 6Fe³⁺
4) Balance the oxygen and hydrogen:
Cr2O7²⁻ + 6Fe²⁺ +14H⁺ → 2Cr³⁺ + 6Fe³⁺ + 7H2O
Cr2O7²⁻ +14H⁺ + 6Fe²⁺ → 2Cr³⁺ + 7H2O + 6Fe³⁺ is the final answer.
7.2 Electrolysis
Electrolytic cells

1) Electrolysis is the decomposition of a compound into its elements by an electric

current.

2) Uses of electrolysis:
- to extract useful metals from their ores.
- to produce useful by-products such as chlorine gas.
- to purify metals.

3) Electrolysis is carried out in an electrolytic cell. An electrolytic cell consists of:

i. the electrolyte which is the compound being decomposed. It is either a molten
ionic compound or a concentrated aqueous solution of ions. Solid ionic
compounds and covalent compounds cannot be used because they do not
conduct electricity.
ii. the electrodes which are rods made from graphite or a metal which conducts
electricity to and from the electrolyte.
- anode is the positive electrode.
- cathode is the negative electrode.
iii. external power supply of direct current and a complete d.c. circuit.

Redox reactions in electrolysis

1) During electrolysis, the cations are attracted to the cathode while the
anions are attracted to the anode.
2) i. At the cathode, cations gain electrons and are reduced. Reduction occurs at
the cathode.
ii. At the anode, anions lose electrons and are oxidised. Oxidation occurs at
the anode.

3) A simple example is the electrolysis of molten sodium chloride:

i. At the cathode: Na⁺ + e⁻ → Na. .............gain electrons, reduction.
ii. At the anode: 2Cl⁻ → Cl2 + 2e⁻ .............lose electrons, oxidation.
iii. Sodium metal and chlorine gas are produced.

4) For electrolysis of aqueous sodium chloride:

i. In an aqueous solution of sodium chloride, four types of ions are present
(Na⁺, Cl⁻, H⁺ and OH⁻).
ii. However, only one type of ion can be discharged at each electrode.

5) Factors that determine the selective discharge of ions in an electrolytic cell:

i. Position of the ion in the electrochemical series
- the lower it is in the electrochemical series, the higher the possibility for it to be
discharged.
ii. Concentration of the ions
- the higher the concentration of the ion, the higher the possibility for it to be
discharged.

6) For electrolysis of aqueous sodium chloride:

i. At the cathode: 2H⁺ + 2e⁻ → H2 ............................because H⁺ is lower in the
electrochemical series.
ii. At the anode: 4OH⁻ → O2 + 2H2O + 4e⁻ ................because OH⁻ is lower in the
electrochemical series.
Extraction of aluminium from bauxite ore

1) Bauxite is impure aluminium oxide, Al2O3. The impurities are iron oxides,
silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide. Bauxite is the major aluminium ore.

2) The first step is to purify the bauxite to get pure aluminium oxide, Al2O3.

3) Molten aluminium oxide is electrolysed in a solution of cryolite, Na3AlF6 to give

out the required aluminium metal.

4) The function of dissolving aluminium oxide in large amount of cryolite is to:

i. lower the melting point of the electrolyte from about 2140 °C to 970 °C.
ii. improve the electrical conductivity of the electrolyte.

5) Electrolysis of aluminium oxide is carried out in long narrow cells using carbon
(graphite) electrodes.

6) At the cathode: Al³⁺ + 3e⁻ → Al. ...........reduction

At the anode: 2O²⁻ → O2 + 4e⁻ ..............oxidation
Overall equation: 4Al³⁺ + 6O²⁻ → 4Al + 3O2 or 2Al2O3 → 4Al + 3O2

7) Aluminium is denser than the electrolyte. It drops to the bottom of the

electrolytic cell and is removed using a suction tube or through a tap hole.

8) The oxygen gas released will oxidise the hot carbon electrodes to carbon dioxide and
carbon monoxide. So the electrodes have to be replaced from time to time.

9) Some environmental issues related:

i. The carbon monoxide gas produced is poisonous.
ii. Large amount of energy is needed because the current needed to electrolyse the
electrolyte is very high.
Electrolysis of brine

1) Brine is concentrated aqueous solution of sodium chloride. It

is obtained from sea water or by dissolving rock salt in water.

2) Electrolysis of brine is used to produce chlorine, hydrogen and

sodium hydroxide. A diaphragm cell is used to carry out this reaction.

3) The electrolyte level in the anode compartment is kept higher than in the
cathode compartment. This ensures the flow of the solution is always towards the
cathode compartment. This reduces the possibility of sodium hydroxide solution
formed moving back as they are to be collected.

4) The ions present in the aqueous solution of sodium chloride are Na⁺, Cl⁻, H⁺ and
OH⁻. H⁺ and OH⁻ comes from the slight ionisation of water.
H2O ⇌ H⁺ + OH⁻
5) At the cathode: 2H⁺ + 2e⁻ → H2 ......................because H⁺ is lower in the electrochemical
series.
At the anode: 2Cl⁻ → Cl2 + 2e⁻ .............because Cl⁻ is in a far more greater
concentration than OH⁻.
Overall: 2NaCl + 2H2O → 2NaOH + H2 + Cl2

6) As more and more H⁺ are removed, more are formed from the ionisation of water
because the position of equilibrium shifts to the right. The H⁺ formed are being
removed again until none is left.

7) At the same time, more and more OH⁻ are being produced. When all the H⁺ are
removed, only OH⁻ and Na⁺ are left in the electrolyte and NaOH is formed.
Electrolytic purification of copper

1) Copper is purified to be used for electrical wiring because 99.99% of purity is

required for efficient transmission of electrical energy. Even small amounts of
impurity reduces its conductivity greatly.

2) Electrolytic purification of copper is carried out in cells using:

i. an electrolyte of copper(II) sulfate solution acidified with sulfuric acid.
ii. an anode of impure copper.
iii. a cathode of pure copper.

3) At the anode: Cu → Cu²⁺ + 2e⁻At

the cathode: Cu²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Cu

4) The result is the transfer of copper from the anode to the cathode. As a result,
the cathode gets thicker and the anode get thinner. The impurities in
the anode settle down as anode 'sludge'.

5) The concentration of copper(II) sulfate solution does not change because the
number of moles of Cu²⁺ ions formed at the anode is exactly the same as the number
of moles of Cu²⁺ ions discharged at the cathode.
CHAPTER 8: Chemical Equilibria
8.1 Dynamic Equilibria
8.2 Factors Affecting Chemical Equilibria
8.3 Equilibrium Constant
8.4 Theory of Acids and Bases

Learning outcomes:

(a) explain, in terms of rates of the forward and reverse reactions, what is meant by a
reversible reaction and dynamic equilibrium.
(b) state Le Chatelier’s Principle and apply it to deduce qualitatively (from appropriate
information) the effects of changes in temperature, concentration or pressure, on a system
at equilibrium.
(c) state whether changes in concentration, pressure or temperature or the presence of a
catalyst affect the value of the equilibrium constant for a reaction.
(d) deduce expressions for equilibrium constants in terms of concentrations, Kc, and
partial pressures, Kp. [treatment of the relationship between Kp and Kc is not
required]
(e) calculate the values of equilibrium constants in terms of concentrations or partial
pressures from appropriate data.
(f) calculate the quantities present at equilibrium, given appropriate data (such calculations
will not require the solving of quadratic equations).
(g) describe and explain the conditions used in the Haber process and the Contact process,
as examples of the importance of an understanding of chemical equilibrium in the
chemical industry.
(h) show understanding of, and use, the Brønsted-Lowry theory of acids and bases, including
the use of the acid-I, base-II concept.
(i) explain qualitatively the differences in behaviour between strong and weak acids and bases
and the pH values of their aqueous solutions in terms of the extent of dissociation.
8.1 Dynamic Equilibria
Reversible reactions

1) A reversible reaction is one which can proceed in both directions, as

indicated by the "⇌" sign. For example:
H2 + I2 ⇌ 2HI 2SO2 + O2 ⇌ 2SO3
2) In a reversible reaction, the reactants react to form the products. The
products in turn also react to re-form the reactants. A mixture of reactants and
products is present, an equilibrium is established between them.

3) Whether a reaction is reversible or not

depends on its activation energy. If the activation
energy of the backward reaction is very high, the
reaction is not reversible.

Characteristics of equilibrium

1) An equilibrium have four particular features under constant conditions:

i. It is dynamic
- Dynamic equilibrium is a situation where the rate of forward
reaction becomes equal to the rate of reverse reaction and the
amount of substance present to do not vary with time as long as the
conditions remain the same.
- In the microscopic scale, the reactants and products are continuously
reacting but in the macroscopic scale, there seem to be no change at all.

ii. The concentrations of the reactants and products remain constant

- This is because at equilibrium, the rate of forward reaction equals to the rate
of backward reaction.
- For example, H2 + I2 ⇌ 2HI
At equilibrium, for every one mole of the reactants get
converted to two moles of products, two moles of the
products are re-forming the reactants.
 iii. It requires a closed system
- A closed system is one which none of the substances can be added
or removed, but energy can move in and out freely.
- In an open system, the products formed will escape, this will not
allow them to react and re-form the reactants, an equilibrium will
never be reached.

8.2 Factors Affecting Chemical Equilibria

Position of equilirbium

1) The position of equilibrium refers to the relative amount of products and

reactants present in an equilibrium mixture.

Le Chatelier's principle

1) Le Chatelier's principle states that if a change is made to a system in

equilibrium, the system reacts in such a way so as to oppose the change and a
new equilibrium is established.

2) In other words, "whatever done to the system, the system does the opposite".

Effect of change in concentration

A+B⇌ C+D
1) When something is added or removed, the system will does the opposite so
as to remove or replace it.

2) When the concentration of A or B increases, by Le Chatelier's principle,

the position of equilibrium shifts to the right to decrease the
concentration back. More C and D are being formed.

3) When the concentration of A or B decreases, by Le Chatelier's

principle, the position of equilibrium shifts to the left to increase the
concentration back. More A and B are being formed.
 Effect of change in pressure

2A(g) + B(g) ⇌ C(g) + D(g)

1) Changes in pressure will only affect reactions between gases.

2) When the pressure of a system is altered, the system will

respond to neutralise the change.

3) When the pressure is increased, by Le Chatelier's principle, the position

of equilibrium shifts to the right to reduce the total number of
molecules and to decrease the pressure.

4) When the pressure is decreased, by Le Chatelier's principle, the position

of equilibrium shifts to the left to increase the total number of
molecules and to increase the pressure.

5) i. Increased pressure favours the reaction which produces fewer molecules.

ii. Decreased pressure favours the reaction which produces more molecules.

6) If there are equal number of molecules on each side of the equation,

changes in pressure will not affect the position of equilibrium. However, it
will still affect the rate of reaction.

Effect of change in temperature

A + B ⇌ C + D ΔH° = enthalpy change of forward reaction

1) If heat is introduced to the system, the system will respond to
neutralise the change, either by absorbing or releasing heat.

2) If ΔH° > 0 (endothermic reaction):

i. When temperature is increased, by Le Chatelier's principle, the position
of equilibrium shifts to the right to remove the extra heat (the endothermic
reaction is favoured).
ii. When temperature is reduced, by Le Chatelier's principle, the
position of equilibrium shifts to left to release heat (the forward
reaction, an exothermic reaction is favoured).

3) i. Increased temperature favours endothermic reaction.

ii. Decreased temperature favours exothermic reaction.
Effect of catalyst

1) Catalysts will not affect the position of equilibrium. This is because a

catalyst increases both the rate of forward and reverse reaction.

2) However, catalysts can speed up the time taken to reach equilibrium.

8.3 Equilibrium Constants

Equilibrium constants, Kc and Kp

1) Equilibrium constant is the value of the reaction quotient when the

reaction
has reached equilibrium. Alternatively, it can also be defined as the measure of
the extent in which reactants are converted into products.

2) At any given temperature, every reaction has a specific value of

equilibrium constant which is independent of changes in concentration,
pressure, use of catalyst or the amount of reactants you start with.

3) Equilibrium constant expressed in concentration is called Kc while

expressed in partial pressure is called Kp.

4) For any reaction: aA + bB ⇌ cC + dD

5) For reaction involving gases, equilibrium constant can be expressed in
terms of partial pressures.
aA(g) + bB(g) ⇌ cC(g) + dD(g)......(1)

Mole fraction and partial pressures

1) From equation (1), the mole fraction of A is given by:

2) The partial pressure of a gas A in a mixture of gases is the pressure that

gas A will exert, if gas A alone was to occupy the same volume at
the same temperature. It is given by:

More about Kc and Kp

1) Note:
i. Concentration of liquids and solids are omitted in the expression of Kp and Kc.
ii. State symbols are not essential in writing the expressions.

2) The magnitude of Kp and Kc gives the measure of the extent of

equilibrium, it does not give any information about the rate of reaction.
3) Examples on writing an expression for Kp and Kc.

Factors affecting the value of Kp and Kc

1) In short, the equilibrium constants are constants at constant temperature.

Only temperature can affect the value of Kc and Kp.

2)i. For endothermic reaction, the value of Kc or Kp increases with increasing

temperature.
ii. For exothermic reaction, the value of Kc or Kp decreases with increasing
temperature.

[ Note: Statement (g) is omitted in this section and is discussed in Chapter 13 ]

8.4 Theory of Acids and Bases

The Arrhenius theory

1) According to Arrhenius theory:

i. An acid is a substance which ionises in water to give hydrogen ions, H⁺.
ii. A base is a substance which ionises in water to give hydroxide ions, OH⁻.

2) Limitations of this theory:

i. When ammonia gas reacts with hydrogen chloride gas, ammonium chloride
is produced. Although this really is an acid-base reaction but it contradicts
with the Arrhenius theory because no H⁺ or OH⁻ is produced.
The Brønsted-Lowry theory

1) According to the Brønsted-Lowry theory:

i. An acid is a proton donor.
ii. A base is a proton acceptor.

2) A proton is a hydrogen ion, H⁺.

3) For example, when hydrogen chloride dissolves in water to form

hydrochloric acid, the following reaction occurs:
HCl(g) + H2O(l) → H3O⁺(aq) + Cl⁻(aq). . . .(2)
HCl is acting as an acid because it has donated a proton. H2O is acting as a
base because it has accepted a proton.

4) When the acidic solution reacts with a base, what is actually functioning
as an acid is the hydroxonium ion, H3O⁺.
H3O⁺ + OH⁻ → 2H2O

H3O⁺ is acting as an acid because it has donated a proton. OH⁻ Is acting as a

base because it has accepted a proton.

5) Brønsted-Lowry acids and bases do not nave to involve aqueous solutions.

Conjugate pairs

1) When ammonia gas dissolves in water, the reaction that occurs

is reversible: NH3(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ NH4⁺(aq) + OH⁻(aq). (3)
In the forward reaction, H2O is acting as an acid because it has donated a
proton and NH3 is acting as a base because it has accepted a proton.
In the backward reaction, OH⁻ is acting as a base because it has accepted a
proton and NH4⁺ is acting as an acid because it has donated a proton.

2) Therefore OH⁻ is the conjugate base of the acid H2O while NH4⁺ is the
conjugate acid of the base NH3.
3) In general:
i. Every acid has a conjugate base, this is the particle left when the acid
has given away its proton.
ii. Every base has a conjugate acid, this is the particle left when the
base has accepted a proton.

4) Alternatively, the acid-I, base-II terminology can also be used:

i. HA is acid-I and A⁻ is base-I, they are one conjugate pair.
ii. H2O is base-II and H3O⁺ is acid-II, they are another conjugate pair.

5) Substances which can behave as an acid as well as base are described as

amphoteric. One example is water:
i. In reaction (2), water is behaving as a base.
ii. In reaction (3), water is behaving as an acid.

Strength of acids and bases

1) i. A strong acid is one which dissociates completely

in a solution. HCl(g) + H2O(l) → H3O⁺(aq) +
Cl⁻(aq)
ii. This produces high concentration of hydroxonium ions. Therefore
the pH of the solution is very low, pH ≈ 1.
iii. Examples of strong acids are HCl, H2SO4 and HNO3.

2) i. A strong base is one which dissociates completely

in a solution. NaOH(s) + aq → NaOH(aq)
ii. This produces high concentration of hydroxide ions. Therefore the
pH of the solution is very high, pH ≈ 14.
iii. Examples are Group I metal hydroxides.

3) i. A weak acid is one which dissociates partially in a

solution. CH3COOH(l) + H2O(l) ⇌ CH3COO⁻(aq)
+ H3O⁺(aq)
ii. This produces very low concentration of hydroxonium ions, the
position of equilibrium is far over the left. Therefore the pH of the solution
is higher, pH ≈ 3.
iii. Examples are organic acids.
4) i. A weak base is one which dissociates partially
in a solution. NH3(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ NH4⁺(aq)
+ OH⁻(aq)
ii. This produces very low concentration of hydroxide ions, the
position of equilibrium is far over the left. Therefore the pH of the
solution is lower, pH ≈ 12.
iii. Examples are ammonia, amines and some hydroxides of transition
metals.

5) Note:
i. Strength of acids and bases is defined in terms of degree of dissociation
while concentration is defined as the number of moles per unit volume.
ii. Therefore a weak acid in high concentration is still classified as a weak
acid.
iii. Also, a strong acid in low concentration is still classified as a
strong acid.
CHAPTER 9: Rate of Reaction
9.1 Rate of Reaction
9.2 Factors Affecting Rate of Reaction
9.3 Catalysis

Learning outcomes:

(a) explain and use the terms: rate of reaction, activation energy and catalysis.
(b) explain qualitatively, in terms of collisions, the effect of concentration changes on the rate
of a reaction.
(c) show understanding, including reference to the Boltzmann distribution, of what is meant
by the term activation energy.
(d) explain qualitatively, in terms both of the Boltzmann distribution and of collision frequency,
the effect of temperature change on the rate of a reaction
(e)(i) explain that, in the presence of a catalyst, a reaction has a different mechanism, i.e.
one of lower activation energy.
(ii) interpret this catalytic effect in terms of the Boltzmann distribution.
(f) describe enzymes as biological catalysts (proteins) which may have specific activity.
9.1 Rate of Reaction
What is the rate of reaction?

1) Rate of reaction is the change in concentration of reactants or products per

unit time. It refers to the rate of product formed or the rate of reactant used
up.

2) A balanced chemical equation gives no information about the rate of

reaction. It has to be measured experimentally.

3) The rate of reaction can also be obtained by calculating the gradient

of a concentration-time graph.

4) The higher the gradient(the steeper the graph), the higher the rate of
reaction.

5) The gradient of the graph decreases with time, this shows that the
rate of reaction is inversely proportional to time. Which means, the
rate of reaction decreases as the reaction proceeds.

Collision theory

1) The collision theory states that, for the particles to react with each other, they
must collide in the correct orientation with energy greater than or
equal to the activation energy.

2) The activation energy is the minimum energy that that the reacting particles
must possess for a successful collision to take place.

3) Every reaction has a specific activation energy.

4) If the collision results in the reactants changing into products, it is said

to be an effective(or successful) collision.
9.2 Factors Affecting the Rate of Reaction
How to increase the rate of reaction?

1) According to the collision theory, the rate of reaction will increase if:
i. the frequency of collision and effective collision increases.
ii. the proportion of particles with energy greater than
activation energy increases.

Effect of surface area

1) The larger the surface area of the reactant particles, the higher the
rate of reaction.

2) This is because the surface area exposed for collision is larger,

frequency of collision between the reactant particles increases and hence the
frequency of effective collision also increases. More products are
formed per unit time and hence the rate of reaction increases.
3) For example, the reaction between hydrochloric acid and marble
chips(calcium carbonate) is as follow:
HCl(aq) + CaCO3(s) → CaCl2(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)
The rate of reaction can be found by measuring the volume of CO2 gas given
out per unit time. The volume of CO2 is determined at regular intervals. The
set up of apparatus is as follow:

It is found that powdered marble chips react faster than big lumps of
marble chips

4) This is because powdered marble chips are smaller in size and hence
have a larger total surface area.

Effect of concentration

1) The higher the concentration of the reactant particles, the higher the
rate of reaction.

2) This is because in a more concentrated solution, there are more

reactant particles per unit volume. The frequency of collision between the
reactant particles increases and hence the frequency of effective collision
also increases. More products are formed per unit time and hence the rate of
reaction is higher.

3) For example, the reaction between magnesium ribbon and hydrochloric

acid is as follow:
Zn(s) + HCl(aq) → ZnCl2(aq) + H2(g)
The rate of reaction can be found by measuring the time
taken for the magnesium ribbon to disappear from sight.

It is found that when HCl has a higher concentration, the time taken for the
magnesium ribbon to disappear is shorter.

4) Since rate of reaction is inversely proportional to time, the shorter the

time, the higher the rate of reaction.
5) There are also times where increasing the concentration does not help
in increasing the rate of reaction:
i. Reactions involving only a single reactant particle splitting
- The rate of reaction is not governed by the rate of collision between them.
- The rate is governed by the amount of energy possessed by the
reactant particles.
- If a large proportion of the particles have energy greater than
activation
energy, more particles will split up per unit time and hence the rate of
reaction is higher.
ii. Where a catalyst is working as fast as it can
- If a high enough concentration of reactant particles is mixed with a
small amount of catalyst, the reaction proceeds.
- The rate of reaction will not increase if the concentration of the reactant
particles is increased because the catalyst is saturated.
- The rate of reaction can be increased by adding more catalysts.

Effect of pressure

1) The higher the pressure of the system, the higher the rate of
reaction.

2) The explanation is the same as the one in the effect of concentration.

However, increasing the pressure will only increase the rate of a reaction
involving gases. Changing the pressure of a reaction which involves only solid or
liquid has no effect on it.

Effect of temperature

1) The higher the temperature of the reacting system, the higher the
rate of reaction.

2) This is because at higher temperature, the average kinetic energy

of the particles increases, so:
i. more reacting particles have energy equal to or greater than the
activation energy. (This is the major reason)
ii. the reacting particles travel at higher speed, the frequency of
collision
between the reacting particles increases. (This is the minor reason)
This causes the frequency of effective collision to increase. More products are
formed per unit time and hence, the rate of reaction is higher.

3) In fact, the rate of reaction doubles for every increase in 10 °C.

4) The effect of temperature on rate of reaction can be shown in a
Maxwell- Boltzmann distribution curve. A typical curve looks like
this:

5) The area under the curve represents the total number of

molecules, it is constant if no additional molecules are added.

6) An increase in temperature increases the number of particles with higher

energy, the curve shifts to the right. So that there are more particles with energy
greater than the activation energy, as illustrated below:

There are more particles with energy greater than the activation energy
at T2

7) When drawing the curve at a higher temperature, the height of the

curve should reduce so that the area under the curve remains constant.
Number of
molecules

Energy
9.3 Catalysis
What is a catalyst?

1) A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of reaction but is

chemically unchanged at the end of the reaction.

2) Catalysis is the increase in the rate of chemical reaction by a catalyst.

3) Characteristics of catalysts:
i. Catalysts are needed in small amounts only. This is because a catalyst is
not used up at the end of a reaction, the same catalyst can be used to
catalyse a large number of reactions.
ii. Catalysts do not initiate the reaction, they accelerate it.
iii. Catalysts do not alter the enthalpy change of a reaction.
iv. Catalysts can be poisoned by impurities, thus losing its catalytic abilities.
v. Most catalysts are transition metals or compounds of them.
vi. Catalysts are usually specific, a reaction can only be catalysed by
a specific catalyst.

4) Examples of catalysts used in industries:

The role of catalyst

1) A catalyst works by providing an alternative route for the reaction to

occur. This alternative route has a lower activation energy. This increases
the proportion of reacting particles with energy greater than the activation
energy. As a result, the frequency of effective collision increases. More products
are formed on per unit time and the rate of reaction is higher.
2) A catalyst neither alters the energies of reacting particles nor lower the
original activation energy. It provides an alternative route with lower
activation energy.

3) An example is the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into water and

oxygen.
2H2O2(aq) → 2H2O(l) + O2(g)
The reaction proceeds very slowly at room temperature and there are no
observable changes. However, when a little manganese(VI) oxide, MnO2 is
added, effervescence is seen immediately. This suggests that oxygen gas is
released.

Autocatalysis

1) For most reactions, the rate of reaction decreases with time because
the concentration of reactants decreases.

2) However in some reactions, one of the products can act as a catalyst

for that reaction. In these reactions, the rate is low at the beginning because
there is no catalyst but increases as soon as the product(catalyst) is being formed.
After that, the rate decreases again because the concentration of reactant

decreases.
Enzymes as catalysts

1) Enzymes are proteins which have catalytic function and can act as
biological catalysts that catalyses biological reactions in living
organisms.

2) i. Enzymes are highly specific, catalysing only one type of reaction.

ii. Enzymes are also very sensitive to changes in pH and temperature.
Most enzymes can only function in a small range of temperature(usually 37
°C, the body temperature) and pH.

iii. Enzymes are super-efficient catalysts, they are much more efficient
compared to inorganic catalysts.

3) Enzymes function via the lock-and-key mechanism. According to

this model, the substrate(reactant) molecule and the active site of the enzyme
have complementary shapes so that the substrate fits in precisely.

4) The substrate binds to the active site of the enzyme just like a key
binds to a lock. Bond-breaking and bond-forming processes then take place,
transforming the substrate into products.
CHAPTER 10: Chemical Periodicity
10.1 Periodicity in Physical Properties
10.2 Periodicity in Chemical Properties
10.3 Period 3 Oxides
10.4 Period 3 Chlorides

Learning outcomes:

(a) describe qualitatively (and indicate the periodicity in) the variations in atomic radius,
ionic radius, melting point and electrical conductivity of the elements (see the Data
Booklet).
(b) explain qualitatively the variation in atomic radius and ionic radius.
(c) interpret the variation in melting point and in electrical conductivity in terms of the
presence of simple molecular, giant molecular or metallic bonding in the elements.
(d) explain the variation in first ionisation energy.
(e) describe the reactions, if any, of the elements with oxygen (to give Na2O, MgO,
Al2O3, P4O10, SO2, SO3), chlorine (to give NaCl , MgCl2, Al2Cl6, SiCl4, PCl5)
and water (Na and Mg only).
(f) state and explain the variation in oxidation number of the oxides and chlorides in
terms of their valence shell electrons.
(g) describe the reactions of the oxides with water.
[treatment of peroxides and superoxides is not
required]
(h) describe and explain the acid/base behaviour of oxides and hydroxides including,
where relevant, amphoteric behaviour in reaction with sodium hydroxide (only)
and acids.
(i) describe and explain the reactions of the chlorides with water.
(j) interpret the variations and trends in (f), (g), (h), and (i) in terms of bonding
and electronegativity.
(k) suggest the types of chemical bonding present in chlorides and oxides from observations
of their chemical and physical properties.
(l) predict the characteristic properties of an element in a given group by using knowledge
of chemical periodicity
(m) deduce the nature, possible position in the Periodic Table, and identity of unknown
elements from given information about physical and chemical properties.
10.1 Periodicity in Physical Properties
What is periodicity?

1) Periodicity is the recurrence of similar properties at regular intervals when the

elements are arranged in increasing atomic number.

Variation in size of atoms

1) Covalent radius is half the internuclear distance between two like atoms
bonded by a single covalent bond.

2) Van der Waal's radius is half the average distance

between two adjacent non-bonded atoms.

3) For example, the covalent radius of Cl2 is 0.099 nm

while the van der Waal's radius of Cl2 is 0.180 nm.
Note: van der Waal's radius is always larger than covalent radius.

4) Metallic radius is half the distance between two like metal atoms bonded by
metallic bond.

5) All these measurable quantities can be given a general name called 'atomic
radii'.
6) Across Period 3, the atomic radius decreases gradually. This is because the
nuclear charge increases while the shielding effect remains
constant. The outer electrons are more attracted towards the nucleus, making
the atoms smaller.

7) For comparison, metallic radii are used for Na, Mg and Al, covalent radii are
used for Si, P, S and Cl. For argon, van der Waal's radius is used(argon do not
form any bonds)
Note: This trend excludes argon because comparing van der Waal's radius with
covalent and metallic radius is not fair.

Variation in ionic radius

1) Cations are formed when an atom loses

electron(s). In Period 3, Na, Mg, Al and Si form
cations by losing electron(s) to achieve stable
octet electronic configuration. The ions formed
are Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Al³⁺ and Si⁴⁺ respectively.

2) Cations are smaller than their respective atoms

because a whole layer of electrons are lost. The
remaining electrons are attracted more strongly
towards the centre by the same nuclear charge.

3) Anions are formed when an atom gains electron(s). In Period 3, P, S and Cl

form anions by gaining electron(s) to achieve stable octet electronic
configuration. The ions formed are P³⁻, S²⁻ and Cl⁻ respectively.

4) Anions are bigger than their respective atoms because they have more
electrons than protons. The electrons are held less strongly by the nucleus.
Besides, a repulsion is created between the electrons when a new electron is
introduced and this causes the ion to expand.

5) Anions are bigger than cations because anions have one more shell of
electrons compared to cations.

6) In the isoelectronic series(from Na⁺ to Si⁴⁺ and P³⁻ to Cl⁻), the ionic radius
decreases gradually. This is because the same number of electrons are
attracted more strongly by the increasing nuclear charge.
Variation in melting and boiling points

1) Across a Period,
i. melting point increases from Na to Al
because the strength of the metallic bond
increases.
ii. melting point of Si is highest because Si has a
giant covalent structure, a lot of energy is
required to overcome the strong covalent bonds.
iii. melting points of P, S, Cl and Ar are lower because these have simple
molecular structures, only weak van der Waal's forces of attraction exist
between them.

2) Melting point of S > P > Cl > Ar because these elements exist as S8, P4, Cl2 and
Ar respectively. S8 contains the most number of electrons, followed by P4,
Cl2 and Ar. Van der Waal's forces get stronger with increasing number of
electrons.

Variation in electrical conductivity

1) Across the Period, the elements change from

metals(Na to Al) to semi-metal(Si) and then to
non-metals(P to Ar).

2) Electrical conductivity is highest is metals, lower in semi-metals and lowest in

non-metals(Most non-metals do not conduct electricity at all).

3) The electrical conductivity of Period 3 elements:

i. increases from Na to Al because the number of electrons contributed by
per atom to the sea of delocalised electrons increases from one in Na, two in Mg
and three in Al. There are more electrons to conduct electricity.
ii. decreases from Al onwards. Si is a semi-metal therefore it is a semi-
conductor. The remaining elements do not conduct electricity because there are
no mobile electrons.

Variation is first ionisation energy

(Refer Chapter 3)
10.2 Periodicity in Chemical Properties
Reaction with oxygen gas, O2

1) Sodium burns on heating with an orange-yellow flame to

form white sodium oxide.
4Na(s) + O2(g) → 2Na2O(s)

2) Magnesium burns on heating with a brilliant white

flame to form white magnesium oxide.
2Mg(s) + O2(g) → 2MgO(s)

3) An oxide layer will form on the aluminium when it is exposed to air, this oxide
layer prevents aluminium from reacting. However, if powdered aluminium is
used, it burns on heating with white flames to form white aluminium oxide.
4Al(s) + 3O2(g) → 2Al2O3(s)

4) Silicon burns slowly at red heat to form silicon(Vl) oxide or silicon dioxide.
Si(s) + O2(g) → SiO2(s)

5) Phosphorus burns on heating with a white flame to form clouds of white

covalent oxides, phosphorus(III) oxide and phosphorus(V) chloride.
P4(s) + 3O2(g) → P4O6(s) ; if oxygen gas is limited
P4(s) + 5O2(g) → P4O10(s) ; if oxygen gas is in excess

6) Sulfur burns on heating with a blue flame to form sulfur dioxide gas.
S(s) + O2(g) → SO2(g)
Under suitable conditions, sulfur dioxide can be converted to
sulfur trioxide.(See also the Contact process)
2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇌ 2SO3(g)

7) Chlorine forms several oxides(Cl2O and Cl2O7), but it will not

react directly with oxygen.

8) Argon does not react with oxygen to form any oxides.

9) Going across Period 3, the reactivity towards oxygen decreases because

the reducing power(tendency to be oxidised) of the elements decreases.
 Reaction with chlorine gas, Cl2

1) Sodium burns on heating in chlorine gas with an orange-yellow flame to

form white sodium chloride.
2Na(s) + Cl2(g) → 2NaCl(s)

2) Magnesium burns on heating in chlorine gas with a brilliant white flame

to form white magnesium chloride.
Mg(s) + Cl2(g) → MgCl2(s)

3) Aluminium burns on heating to form ionic aluminium chloride.

2Al(s) + 3Cl2(g) → 2AlCl3(s)
At temperature about 180 °C, aluminium chloride converts to a molecular
form, Al2Cl6, a dimer of covalent AlCl3. At even higher temperature, Al2Cl6
breaks into simple AlCl3 molecules.
2Al(s) + 3Cl2(g) → Al2Cl6(g)

4) Silicon burns slowly in chlorine gas at red heat to form covalent silicon(IV)
chloride or silicon tetrachloride, a colourless liquid which vaporises.
Si(s) + Cl2(g) → SiCl4(l)

5) Phosphorus burns in chlorine gas to produce a mixture of two chlorides,

phosphorus(III) chloride, PCl3 and phosphorus(V) chloride, PCl5. In excess
chlorine gas, PCl5 is the major product.
P4(s) + 6Cl2(g) → 4PCl3(l) ; if chlorine gas is limited
P4(s) + 10Cl2(g) → 4PCl5(s) ; if chlorine gas is in excess
PCl3 is a fuming liquid while PCl5 is an off-white solid.

6) Sulfur burns in chlorine gas to produce disulfur dichloride, an orange, evil-

smelling liquid.
2S(s) + Cl2(g) → S2Cl2(l)

7) Chlorine obviously does not react with chlorine gas.

8) Argon does not react with chlorine gas to form any chlorides.
Reaction with water, H2O

1) Sodium catches fire in cold water and a violently exothermic reaction occurs to
form sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
2Na(s) + 2H2O(l) → 2NaOH(aq) + H2(g)

2) Magnesium reacts very slowly with cold water, taking several days to collect a
test tube of hydrogen gas and a weakly alkaline magnesium hydroxide solution.
Mg(s) + 2H2O(l) → Mg(OH)2(aq) + H2(g) ; very slow
However, it reacts rapidly with steam to produce magnesium hydroxide and
hydrogen gas.
Mg(s) + H2O(g) → MgO(s) + H2(g) ; very fast

Variation in oxidation number of Period 3 oxides and chlorides

1) Oxidation number of a Period 3 oxide or chloride corresponds to the number

of electrons used for bonding. It is always positive because oxygen is more
electronegative than any of the element.

2) The maximum oxidation number is the same as Group number. This

corresponds to the total number of valence electrons.

3) i. In the oxides, the maximum oxidation number

increases from +1 in Na to +6 in S.
ii. In the chlorides, the maximum oxidation
number increases from +1 in Na to +5 in P.

4) Phosphorus and sulfur show several oxidation

numbers because they can expand their octet
through the excitation of electrons to the empty 3d
orbitals.

5) For example:
i. In SO2, S has oxidation number +4 because only four electrons are used for
bonding.
ii. In SO3, S has oxidation number +6 because all six electrons are used for
bonding.
 10.3 Period 3 Oxides
Summary of the properties of Period 3 oxides.

Reaction with water, H2O

1) Sodium oxide reacts exothermically with cold water to form sodium

hydroxide. A strongly alkaline solution of sodium hydroxide is produced.
Na2O(s) + H2O(l) → 2NaOH(aq) ; pH = 13

2) Magnesium oxide reacts slightly with water to the extent that it is almost
insoluble. A weakly alkaline solution of magnesium hydroxide is produced.
MgO(s) + H2O(l) → Mg(OH)2(aq) ; pH = 9

3) Aluminium oxide does not react or dissolve in water due to its high lattice
energy.

4) Silicon dioxide does not react or dissolve in water due to the strong
covalent bonds.

5) Phosphorus oxides react with water to form acidic solutions(pH = 2).

Phosphorus(III) oxide reacts with water to form phosphorous acid.
P4O6(s) + 6H2O(l) → 4H3PO3(aq)
Phosphorus(V) oxide reacts with water to form phosphoric(V) acid.
P4O10(s) + 6H2O(l) → 4H3PO4(aq)

6) Sulfur oxides react with water to form acidic solutions(pH = 2).

Sulfur dioxide reacts with water to give sulfurous acid or sulfuric(IV) acid.
SO2(g) + H2O(l) → H2SO3(aq)
Sulfur trioxide reacts violently with water to form a mist of sulfuric acid.
SO3(g) + H2O(l) → H2SO4(aq)
Acid-base behaviour of Period 3 oxides

1) Going across Period 3, the nature of the oxide changes from basic(Na2O,
MgO) to amphoteric(Al2O3) then to acidic(SiO2, P4O6/P4O10,
SO2/SO3). The acidity of the oxides increases across the Period.

2) Sodium and magnesium oxides are basic oxides, they react with acid
to give the corresponding salts and water.
Na2O(s) + 2HCl(aq) → 2NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)
MgO(s) + 2HCl(aq) → MgCl2(aq) + H2O(l)

3) Aluminium oxide is amphoteric, it can react with both acid and base.
Aluminium oxide reacts with hot and concentrated acids to give salt and water
Al2O3(s) + 6HCl(aq) → 2AlCl3(aq) + 3H2O(l)
Aluminium oxide reacts with hot and concentrated sodium hydroxide to give
sodium aluminate.
Al2O3(s) + 2NaOH(aq) + 3H2O(l) → 2NaAl(OH)4(aq)
sodium aluminate
4) Silicon dioxide is an acidic oxide, it reacts with hot and
concentrated sodium hydroxide to give a colourless solution of sodium
silicate.
SiO2(s) + 2NaOH(aq) → Na2SiO3(aq) + H2O(l)
sodium silicate
5) Phosphorus oxides are acidic oxides, they react with alkalis to form salts and
water.
Phosphorus(III) oxide reacts with sodium hydroxide to form sodium
phosphate(III) and water.
P4O6(s) + 12NaOH(aq) → 4Na3PO3(aq) + 6H2O(l)
Phosphorus(V) oxide reacts with sodium hydroxide to form sodium
phosphate(V) and water.
P4O10(s) + 12NaOH(aq) → 4Na3PO4(aq) + 6H2O(l)

6) Sulfur oxides are acidic oxides, they react with alkalis to form salt and
water. Sulfur dioxide reacts with sodium hydroxide to form sodium
sulfate(IV) and water.
SO2(g) + 2NaOH(aq) → Na2SO3(aq) + H2O(l)
Sulfur trioxide reacts with sodium hydroxide to form sodium sulfate(VI) and
water.
SO3(g) + 2NaOH(aq) → Na2SO4(aq) + H2O(l)
10.4 Period 3 Chlorides
Summary of the properties of Period 3 chlorides

Reaction with water, H2O

1) Sodium chloride dissolves in water to form a neutral solution of

sodium chloride.
NaCl(s) + aq → Na⁺(aq) + Cl⁻(aq) ; pH = 7

2) Magnesium chloride dissolves in water with slight hydrolysis to form a

solution of magnesium chloride.
MgCl2(s) + 6H2O → [Mg(H2O)6]²⁺(aq) + 2Cl⁻(aq)
hexaaquamagnesium ions
[Mg(H2O)6]²⁺(aq) +H2O(l) ⇌ [Mg(H2O)5(OH)]⁺(aq) + H3O⁺(aq) ; pH = 6.5

3) Aluminium chloride, AlCl3 hydrolyses in water to give an acidic solution,

white fumes of hydrogen chloride gas are formed.
AlCl3(s) + 6H2O(l) → [Al(H2O)6]³⁺(aq) + 3Cl⁻(aq) [Al(H2O)6]³⁺(aq)
+H2O(l) ⇌ [Al(H2O)5(OH)]²⁺(aq) + H3O⁺(aq) ; pH = 3

4) Silicon tetrachloride undergoes complete hydrolysis in water to form a

strongly acidic solution, white fumes of hydrogen chloride gas are formed.
SiCl4(l) + 2H2O(l) → SiO2(s) + 4HCl(g) ; pH = 2

5) Phosphorus(III) chloride reacts violently with water in a hydrolysis reaction to

give a strongly acidic solution and fumes of hydrogen chloride gas.
PCl3(l) + 3H2O(l) → H3PO3(aq) + 3HCl(g) ; pH = 2
 Phosphorus(V) chloride is an off-white ionic solid at room temperature and
sublimes at 163 °C to give phosphorus(III) chloride and chlorine gas.
PCl5(s) ⇌ PCl3(l) + Cl2(g)
It reacts violently with water in a hydrolysis reaction to give a strongly acidic solution
and fumes of hydrogen chloride gas.
PCl5(s) + 4H2O(l) → H3PO4(aq) + 5HCl(g) ; pH = 2

6) The acidity of the chlorides increases across the Period as the nature
of the chlorides changes from ionic to covalent.
CHAPTER 11: Group II
11.1 Physical Properties of Group II Elements
11.2 Reactions of Group II Elements
11.3 Group II Oxides, Hydroxides and Carbonates
11.4 Thermal Decomposition
11.5 Uses of Group II Compounds

Learning outcomes:

(a) describe the reactions of the elements with oxygen, water and dilute acids.
(b) describe the behaviour of the oxides, hydroxides and carbonates with water and with
dilute acids.
(c) describe the thermal decomposition of the nitrates and carbonates.
(d) interpret, and make predictions from, the trends in physical and chemical properties of
the elements and their compounds.
(e) explain the use of magnesium oxide as a refractory lining material
(f) describe and explain the use of lime in agriculture.
11.1 Physical Properties of Group II Elements
Introduction to Group II elements

1) Group II elements(also called the 'alkaline earth metals') are s-block

elements with a characteristic outer shell configuration ns².

2) Group II elements are very reactive metals. They have low

electronegativity and are readily oxidised, they always exhibit an oxidation
state of +2 in their compounds. This is because the two outer s electrons are
readily lost during a reaction to achieve a noble gas configuration.
M → M²⁺ + 2e⁻ ; where M = A Group II element

Variation in atomic radius

1) The atomic radius increases going down the Group.

This is because going down the Group, each
succeeding element has one more shell of
electrons. The distance between nucleus and outer
electrons are progressively further.

Variation in first ionisation energy

1) The first ionisation energy decreases

down the Group. This is because the distance
between nucleus and outer electrons increases, and
the outer electrons are more shielded.

2) These two factors outweigh the increasing nuclear charge. So, the
attractive force between nucleus and outer electrons decreases and less
energy is required to remove the electron.
Variation in electronegativity

1) Electronegativity decreases down the Group.

This is because the distance between the nucleus and
the bonded pair of electrons increases down the
Group. Therefore the electrons are held less strongly
by the nucleus.

2) In other words, the reducing power(and reactivity) increases down the Group.

11.2 Reactions of Group II Elements

Reaction with oxygen gas, O2

1) All Group II elements(except beryllium) burn in oxygen with a bright flame

to form monoxides.
2M(s) + O2(g) → 2MO(s) ; where M = A Group II element

2) i. 2Mg(s) + O2(g) → 2MgO(s) ; burns with brilliant

white flame
ii. 2Ca(s) + O2(g) → 2CaO(s) ; burns with brick red
flame
iii. 2Sr(s) + O2(g) → 2SrO(s) ; burns with crimson
red flame
iv. 2Ba(s) + O2(g) → 2BaO(s) ; burns with apple
green flame

Magnesium burning Calcium burning Strontium burning Barium burning

Reaction with water, H2O

1) All Group II elements(except beryllium) reacts with water to form

hydroxides and hydrogen gas.
M(s) + 2H2O(l) → M(OH)2(aq) + H2(g) ; where M = A Group II element

2)i. Beryllium has no reaction with cold water or steam even at red heat due
to the formation of protective oxide layer on its surface.
ii. Magnesium reacts very slowly with cold water, taking several days to
collect
a test tube of hydrogen gas and a weakly alkaline magnesium hydroxide
solution.
Mg(s) + 2H2O(l) → Mg(OH)2(aq) + H2(g) ; very slow, pH =
9 However, it reacts rapidly with steam to produce magnesium oxide and
hydrogen gas. This is because the hydroxide formed thermally decompose
into an oxide.
Mg(s) + H2O(g) → MgO(s) + H2(g) ; very fast

iii. Calcium, strontium and barium reacts vigorously with cold

water to give hydroxides.
Ca(s) + 2H2O(l) → Ca(OH)2(s) + H2(g)
Sr(s) + 2H2O(l) → Sr(OH)2(aq) + H2(g)
Ba(s) + 2H2O(l) → Ba(OH)2(aq) + H2(g)
Note:
i. Ca(OH)2 appears as white precipitate. It is sparingly soluble
therefore a weakly alkaline solution will also be formed.

3) The reactivity of the elements with water increases down the Group. In
other words, they become more soluble going down the Group.

Reaction with acids

1) All Group II elements react with acid to give hydrogen gas

and the corresponding salt.
M(s) + H⁺(aq) → M²⁺(aq or s) + H2(g) ; where M = A Group II element

2) i. Beryllium reacts slowly with acids and has no reaction at room temperature.
ii. The rest of Group II metals react with increasing vigorous going
down the Group.
11.3 Group II Oxides, Hydroxides and
Carbonates
Group II oxides

1) All Group II oxides(except beryllium oxide) reacts with water, at least to

some extent to give the corresponding hydroxides.

2)i. Beryllium oxide is insoluble because Be²⁺ ion is a very small and highly
charged ion, thus making the lattice energy of BeO exceptionally high.
ii. Magnesium oxide is only slightly soluble in water, producing a weakly
alkaline
solution.
iii. Addition of calcium oxide with water is a very vigorous and
exothermic reaction.

3) All Group II oxides(except beryllium oxide) are basic. They react with
acids to give the corresponding salt and water.

4) Beryllium oxide, on the other hand, is amphoteric. It reacts with both acid
and base.

Group II hydroxides

1) Group II hydroxides are not very soluble, and they do not react with
water. However, the solubility increases down the Group.

2) i. Magnesium hydroxide is only slightly soluble in water, with a pH of about 9.

ii. Calcium hydroxide(slaked lime) is moderately soluble to give a solution called
"lime water".
3) Group II hydroxides behave as a base and react with acids to
give the corresponding salt and water.

Group II carbonates

1) Group II carbonates are mainly insoluble, and they do not react with
water. The solubility decreases down the Group.

2) Group II carbonates react with acid to form salt, carbon dioxide and water.
MCO3(s) + H⁺ → M²⁺(aq or s) + CO2(g) + H2O(l) ; where M = A Group II
element

11.4 Ther mal Decomposition

Ther mal decomposition of Group II salts

1) In general, compounds with high charge density cation and large

anion size tend to decompose more easily(less stable on heat) due to the
greater polarisation of anion by the cation.

2) Thermal decomposition of Group II salts decreases down the Group. In

other words, the thermal stability of Group II salts increases down the Group.

3) This is because going down the Group, the cation size increases while the
anion size remains unchanged. Therefore the charge density and polarising
power of cation decreases and the anion cloud is less polarised. The
compound is more stable on heating.

4) Group II salts are less stable compared to Group I salts due to the
higher charge density of M²⁺ ion.

Ther mal decomposition of Group II nitrates

1) All Group II nitrates decompose on heating to give the corresponding

metal oxide, brown nitrogen monoxide gas and oxygen gas.
2M(NO3)2(s) → 2MO(s) + 4NO2(g) + O2(g) ; where M = A Group II element
2) Thermal stability of Group II nitrates increases down the Group. This
is because the cation size increases down the Group, this reduces the charge
density and polarising power of cation. The nitrate ion is less polarised and the
compound is more stable.

Ther mal decomposition of Group II carbonates

1) All Group II carbonates decompose on heating to give the corresponding

metal oxide and carbon dioxide gas.
MCO3(s) → MO(s) + CO2(g) ; where M = A Group II element

2) Thermal stability of Group II carbonates increases down the Group.

This is because the cation size increases down the Group, this reduces the
charge density and polarising power of cation. The carbonate ion is less
polarised and the compound is more stable.

11.5 Uses of Group II Compounds

1) Some ceramics contain magnesium oxide, MgO and they can be used
as:
i. electrical insulators in industrial electrical cables.
ii. a refractory in furnace linings because it has a high melting point.
(However, it cannot be used in furnaces where acid is present due to its basic
nature)
iii. in fire-resistant wall boards.

2) Calcium compounds have many uses, this includes:

i. calcium carbonate(limestone) to make cement.
- It is roasted in a lime kiln so that it decomposes into calcium oxide, CaO
(quicklime). The cement made is mixed with rocks to make concrete.
ii. using calcium hydroxide/oxide/carbonate to treat acidic soil as
they react with acids.
 CHAPTER 12: Group VII
12.1 Physical Properties of Group VII Elements
12.2 Reactions of Group VII Elements
12.3 Reactions of Halide Ions
12.4 Uses of Halogens

Learning outcomes:

(a) describe the colours of, and the trend in volatility of chlorine, bromine and iodine.
(b) interpret the volatility of the elements in terms of van der Waals’ forces.
(c) describe the relative reactivity of the elements as oxidising agents.
(d) describe and explain the reactions of the elements with hydrogen.
(e)(i) describe and explain the relative thermal stabilities of the hydrides.
(ii) interpret these relative stabilities in terms of bond energies.
(f) describe and explain the reactions of halide ions with
(i) aqueous silver ions followed by aqueous ammonia.
(ii) concentrated sulfuric acid.
(g) outline a method for the manufacture of chlorine from brine by a diaphragm cell.
(h) describe and interpret in terms of changes of oxidation number the reaction of chlorine
with cold, and with hot, aqueous sodium hydroxide.
(i) explain the use of chlorine in water purification.
(j) state the industrial importance and environmental significance of the halogens and
their compounds (e.g. for bleaches, PVC, halogenated hydrocarbons as solvents,
refrigerants and in aerosols).
12.1 Physical Properties of Group VII Elements
Introduction to Group VII elements

1) Group VII elements(also called the 'halogens') are p-block elements

with a characteristic outer shell configuration of ns²np⁵.

2) Some common physical properties of the halogens are as follow:

Note:
i. Bromine is a dark red liquid but forms reddish-brown gas.
ii. Iodine is a black solid but forms a purple vapour on gentle heating.
iii. The trend is the halogens get darker going down the Group.
iv. Iodine is insoluble in water but it dissolves in potassium iodide, KI
solution due to the formation of I3⁻ ion.
v. In organic solvents, halogens exist as free molecules, X2.

Variation in atomic radius

1) The atomic radius of halogens increases

going down the Group. This is because going
down the Group, each succeeding element has
one more shell of electrons. The distance
between nucleus and outer electrons are
progressively further.
Variation in electronegativity

1) The electronegativity of halogens

decreases down the Group. This is because going
down the Group, the distance between the nucleus
and bonding electrons increases. Therefore the
electrons are attracted less strongly by the nucleus.

2) Fluorine is the most electronegative element, and is

assigned an electronegativity of 4.0 on the Pauling scale.

3) In other words, the oxidising power(and reactivity) decreases down the Group.

Variation in volatility

1) The volatility of halogens

decreases down the Group. This is
because going down the Group, the
number of electrons in the halogen
molecules increases. More temporary
dipoles can be set up and the
strength of van der Waal's forces
increases.

2) Hence the boiling point increases and the halogens become less volatile.

Variation in bond enthalpy

1) Excluding fluorine, the bond enthalpy of

halogens decreases down the Group. This is
because going down the Group, the distance
between the nucleus and bonding pair of
electrons increases. The bonding electrons are
less attracted and as a result, the covalent bond gets
weaker. Less energy is required to break the
bond.

2) The bond enthalpy is exceptionally low

because F2 is a very small molecule with six lone
pairs of electrons. The repulsion created between
these electrons reduces the energy needed to break
the covalent bond.
 12.2 Reactions of Group VII Elements
Halogens as oxidising agent

1) Halogens are powerful oxidising agents. However, the oxidising ability

decreases down the Group. Therefore, F2 is the most powerful oxidising agent
while I2 is the weakest.

2) This is reflected in their ability to oxidise other halide ions, as follow:

Note:
i.A halogen can oxidise the halide ion below it on the Periodic
Table, fluorine is excluded in this argument because it is too powerful
as an oxidising agent and will oxidise water into oxygen.
ii. If chlorine is able to displace bromide ion from its aqueous
solution, this indicates that chlorine has a higher tendency to be reduced and
to accept electrons to form ions.

Reaction with hydrogen gas, H2

1) All halogens react with hydrogen gas to form hydrides, HX.

H2 + X2 → 2HX ; where X = A halogen

2) i. H2(g) + F2(g) → 2HF(g) ; explosive reaction

under all temperature
ii. H2(g) + Cl2(g) → 2HCl(g) ; explosive reaction
under sunlight
iii. H2(g) + Br2(g) → 2HBr(g) ; slow reaction on
heating
iv. H2(g) + I2(g) ⇌ 2HI(g) ; an equilibrium
mixture is obtained

3) The reactivity of halogens towards hydrogen gas decreases down the

Group due to the decrease in oxidising ability of the halogens.
Ther mal stability of hydrogen halides, HX

1) The thermal stability of the hydrogen

halides, HX decreases down the Group. This is
because the size of the atom increases and so the
strength of the H-X bond decreases. In other
words, the hydrogen halides become less stable
on heating going down the Group.

2)i. Hydrogen iodide decomposes easily on heating, thick purple fumes of I 2 are
observed.
ii. Hydrogen bromide decomposes slightly, little orange-brown of
Br2 is
observed.
iii. Hydrogen chloride and fluoride are stable on heating.

3) When hydrogen halides decompose, X⁻ ions are oxidised. The ease of

oxidation down the Group indicates the increase in reducing ability of X⁻ ion.
Hence, I⁻ is the strongest reducing agent while F⁻ is the weakest.

Reaction with aqueous sodium thiosulfate, Na 2S2O3

1) Chlorine and bromine can oxidise sodium thiosulfate, Na 2S2O3 to

sodium sulfate, Na2SO4. The oxidation number of sulfur changes from +2
to +6.
4Cl2 + S2O3²⁻ + 5H2O → 2SO4²⁻ + 10H⁺ + 8Cl⁻
4Br2 + S2O3²⁻ + 5H2O → 2SO4²⁻ + 10H⁺ + 8Cl⁻

2) However, iodine can only oxidise sodium thiosulfate to sodium

tetrathionate, Na2S4O6. The oxidation number of sulfur changes from +2 to
+2.5.
I2 + 2S2O3²⁻ → S4O6²⁻ + 2I⁻

Reaction with aqueous iron(II) ions, Fe²⁺

1) Chlorine and bromine would oxidise Fe²⁺ to Fe³⁺ but not iodine.
Cl2 + 2Fe²⁺ → 2Cl⁻ + 2Fe³⁺
Br2 + 2Fe²⁺ → 2Br⁻ + 2Fe³⁺
Reaction with iron, Fe

1) i. When chlorine gas is passed over hot iron, iron(III) chloride is formed. The
oxidation number of iron changes from 0 to +3.
Cl2 + Fe → FeCl3 ; rapid and vigorous reaction
ii. When bromine vapour is passed over hot iron, iron(III) chloride
is formed. The oxidation number of iron changes from 0 to +3.
Br2 + Fe → FeBr3 ; less rapid and vigorous reaction
iii. When iodine vapour is passed over hot iron, iron(II) chloride is
formed. The oxidation number of iron changes from 0 to only +2.
I2 + Fe → FeI2 ; even less vigorous

Reaction with hot and cold alkali

1) Chlorine undergoes disproportionation when it reacts with alkali. In

this reaction, chlorine is simultaneously oxidised and reduced.

2) In cold alkali(15 ºC), the reaction is as follow:

Cl2(aq) + 2NaOH(aq) → NaCl(aq) + NaClO(aq) + H2O(l)
sodium hypocloriteThe ionic equation is:
Cl2(aq) + 2OH⁻(aq) → Cl⁻(aq) + ClO⁻(aq) + H2O(l)

3) In cold alkali, the oxidation number of chlorine changes from 0 in Cl2

to -1 in Cl⁻(reduction) and +1 in ClO⁻(oxidation).

4) In hot alkali(70 ºC), the reaction is as follow:-

3Cl2(aq) + 6NaOH(aq) → 5NaCl(aq) + NaClO3(aq) + 3H2O(l)
Sodium chlorate
The ionic equation is:
3Cl2(aq) + 6OH⁻(aq) → 5Cl⁻(aq) + ClO3⁻(aq) + 3H2O(l)

5) In hot alkali, the oxidation number of chlorine changes from 0 in Cl2

to -1 in Cl⁻(reduction) and +5 in ClO3⁻(oxidation).

6) This reaction is the result of disproportionation of chlorate(I) ions

in the presence of heat.
3ClO⁻(aq) → 2Cl⁻(aq) + ClO3⁻

7) Bromine and iodine react in a similar manner. However, the

bromate(I) and iodate(I) ions formed disproportionate readily at all
temperatures.
12.3 Reactions of Halide Ions
Introduction to halide ions, X⁻

1) The halogens are typical non-metals, they:

i. form singly charge negative ions, X⁻.
ii. form ionic compounds with metals and covalent compounds with non-
metals.

Preparation of halogens in the laboratory

1) Halogens can be prepared in the laboratory by the oxidation of X⁻ ions

using manganese(IV) oxide, MnO2 in the presence of concentrated sulfuric
acid.
2X⁻ + MnO2 + 4H⁺ → X2 + Mn²⁺ + 2H2O ; where X = A halogen

2) The apparatus needed is shown

below:
Note:
i. In each case,
hydrogen halide is also
formed from the
reaction of X⁻with
H2SO4 and must be
removed in order to
obtain pure halogen.
Test for halide ions(reaction with silver ion, Ag⁺)

1) Halide ions are colourless in their aqueous solutions and a test is

needed to identify their presence.

2) Silver ions, Ag⁺ can be used to test halide ions because the silver halide
is formed as precipitate.
Ag⁺(aq) + X⁻(aq) → AgX(aq or s) ; where X = A halogen
The silver halides formed can be differentiated by:
i. their colour.
ii. their reaction with dilute aqueous ammonia, NH3.

3) The test is summarised below: (Fluoride does not form precipitates)

4) NH3 is used as a confirmatory test as cream and white precipitate may be

hard to distinguish.

5) Alternatively, concentrated sulfuric acid can be used to test halide ions:

Note:
i. F⁻ and Cl⁻ can be
differentiated using the silver
ion test.
ii. The chemistry of this
test is explained next.
Reaction with concentrated sulfuric acid, H 2SO4

1) When halides(NaX) are reacted with concentrated sulfuric acid, the

following happens:

2) The ease of oxidation of halide ions increases from Cl⁻ to I⁻

because the tendency to be oxidised(the reducing power) increases. The HBr
and HI produced are oxidised to Br2 and I2 respectively while the HCl
produced is not. (HI is oxidised readily while HBr is not)

3) To prepare HI or HBr, phosphoric acid, H3PO4 is used instead

because all halides react to give the corresponding hydrides.
2NaX + H3PO4 → 2HX + Na2HPO4 ; where X = A halogen

12.4 Uses of Halogens

1) Chlorine is used in the chlorination of water to kill bacteria. The
chlorine undergoes disproportionation.
Cl2(aq) + H2O(l) → HCl(aq) + HClO(aq)
Chloric(I) acid, HClO produced decomposes slowly to produce reactive oxygen
atoms that kill bacteria in water.
HClO → HCl + O

2) Bleach is an equal mixture of sodium chloride, NaCl and sodium

chlorate(I), NaClO. Sodium chlorate(I) is a powerful oxidising agent and
bleaches dye and other coloured molecules by oxidising them.
3)i. Halogens are also used in chlorofluorocarbons(CFCs). CFCs are widely
used as refrigerants, propellants and aerosols. They are also used as solvents
for dry cleaning and generating foamed plastics like expanded polystyrene or
polyurethane foam.
ii. Unfortunately, CFCs are largely responsible for destroying the ozone layer. In
the high atmosphere, the carbon-chlorine bonds break to give chlorine free
radicals and these radicals destroy the ozone. CFCs are now being replaced
by less environmentally harmful compounds.

4)i. Plastic PVC(poly(chloroethene) or polyvinyl chloride) are made

from halogen compounds.
ii. Poly(chloroethene) is made through polymerisation of organic
molecules, the organic molecule is chloroethene, CH2CHCl. These organic
molecules join together repeatedly to form the polymer.

iii. Poly(chloroethene) is used to make a wide range of things

including guttering, plastic windows, electrical cable insulation, sheet
materials for flooring and other uses, footwear, clothing, and so on.

5) Bromine and iodine are often used in the manufacture of dyes and
drugs.
CHAPTER 13: Nitrogen and Sulfur
13.1 Nitrogen Compounds
13.2 Environmental Consequences of Using Nitrogen Compounds
13.3 Sulfur Compounds

Learning outcomes:

(a) explain the lack of reactivity of nitrogen.

(b) describe and explain:
(i) the basicity of ammonia.
(ii) the structure of the ammonium ion and its formation by an acid-base reaction.
(iii) the displacement of ammonia from its salts.
(c) describe the Haber process for the manufacture of ammonia from its elements, giving
essential operating conditions, and interpret these conditions (qualitatively) in terms of the
principles of kinetics and equilibria.
(d) state the industrial importance of ammonia and nitrogen compounds derived from ammonia.
(e) state and explain the environmental consequences of the uncontrolled use of nitrate
fertilisers.
(f) state and explain the natural and man-made occurrences of oxides of nitrogen and
their catalytic removal from the exhaust gases of internal combustion engines.
(g) explain why atmospheric oxides of nitrogen are pollutants, including their catalytic role in
the oxidation of atmospheric sulfur dioxide.
(h) describe the formation of atmospheric sulfur dioxide from the combustion of
sulfur contaminated carbonaceous fuels.
(i) state the role of sulfur dioxide in the formation of acid rain and describe the
main environmental consequences of acid rain.
(j) state the main details of the Contact process for sulfuric acid production.
(k) describe the use of sulfur dioxide in food preservation.
13.1 Nitrogen Compounds
The lack of reactivity of nitrogen

1) Nitrogen, N2 exists as a diatomic molecule, two nitrogen atoms

are bonded by a triple bond.

2) Nitrogen is very unreactive because the bond energy is very high

(about +944 kJ mol⁻¹) and reactions involving nitrogen tend to break the entire bond.

3) However, nitrogen still undergoes the following reactions:

i. When nitrogen and oxygen are struck by lightning in the atmosphere,
nitrogen monoxide, NO is produced. In this case, the lightning provides the
activation energy required to start the reaction.
N2(g) + O2(g) → 2NO(g) ; ΔH = +181 kJ mol⁻¹
ii. Magnesium nitride, Mg3N2 is formed when magnesium is heated in nitrogen. The
reaction is exothermic because the ionic bond formed is much stronger than the
original bonds and a net energy is released.
3Mg(s) + N2(g) → Mg3N2(s) ; ΔH = -461 kJ mol⁻¹

4) Carbon monoxide, CO with a triple bond and similarly high bond energy is
more reactive because:
i. it has a dipole moment hence the molecule is polar. They are more
attractive to nucleophiles or electrophiles and this initiates a reaction to occur.
ii. the reaction involving carbon monoxide will normally not break the
entire triple bond. Instead, the bond is partially broken to produce a
double-bonded carbon dioxide, CO2.

Ammonia, NH3 and its reactions

1) Ammonia, NH3 is a trigonal pyramidal molecule with a net

dipole moment, hence the molecule is polar.

2) Ammonia is a weak base, it is also a Brønsted-Lowry base,

hence it is capable of accepting a hydrogen ion to form ammonium ion, NH4⁺.
3) i. Ammonia reacts with acids to form ammonium salts. For example, the
reaction between ammonia and hydrogen chloride, HCl gas:
NH3(g) + HCl(g) → NH4⁺Cl⁻
ii. Ammonium salts react with bases to liberate ammonia gas, salt and
water is also formed. This is because ammonia is a weak base, the proton
accepted is easily removed again. For example, the reaction between
ammonium sulfate, (NH4)2SO4 and calcium oxide, CaO:
2NH4Cl(s) + Ca(OH)2(s) → CaCl(s) + 2NH3(g) + 2H2O(l)
The ionic equation is:
NH4⁺(aq or s) + OH⁻(aq) → NH3(g) + H2O(l)

This is also a common test for ammonium ions in a compound. When a

suspected compound is warmed with sodium hydroxide, NaOH solution,
ammonia gas will be released if it contains ammonium ions. The ammonia
gas can be confirmed by using a red litmus paper.
iii. This reaction can also be used to prepare ammonia in school laboratories, the
setup is as follow:

Note:
i. This reaction is also known as the displacement of ammonia.
ii. Calcium oxide, CaO is used as a drying agent. Other drying agents like
calcium chloride, CaCl2 and sulfuric acid, H2SO4 are not used because they react
with ammonia.
Manufacture of ammonia - the Haber process

1) The Haber process is used to manufacture ammonia on a large scale. A

brief summary of the Haber process:
3H2(g) + N2(g) ⇌ 2NH3(g) ; ΔH = -92 kJ mol⁻¹

2) i. Hydrogen gas is obtained by reacting methane, CH4(natural gas) with steam at

around 700 ºC and the presence of nickel as catalyst.
CH4(g) + H2O(g) → CO(g) + 3H2(g)
ii. Nitrogen gas is obtained by the purification of air. Air which contains mostly a
mixture of nitrogen and oxygen gas is reacted with hydrogen gas at high
temperature. Oxygen from the air will react with hydrogen to form water.
2H2(g) + O2(g) → 2H2O(g)
Oxygen gas is removed, leaving only nitrogen gas behind.
3) The required conditions for optimum yield are: i.
(400 - 450) ºC.
ii. 200 atm (equivalent to 20000 kPa).
iii. Presence of fine iron as catalyst.

4) Nitrogen and oxygen gas are fed into the reactor in a ratio of 1:3, which is the
one demanded by the equation. Excess of reactants are not used because it wastes
the space in the reactor and decrease the efficiency of the catalyst, since the excess
reactants will have nothing to react with.

5) i. The production of ammonia is an exothermic reaction in equilibrium.

According to Le Chatelier's principle, in order to shift the position of
equilibrium to the right as much as possible(to increase the yield), a low
temperature should be used. However, (400 - 450) ºC is not a low
temperature.
ii. A low temperature will decrease the rate of reaction albeit having a
high yield. The reaction will take a long time to complete and it is not
economically plausible.
iii. Hence, (400 - 450) ºC is the compromise temperature that produces a
good enough yield in a short time.

6) i. According to Le Chatelier's principle, the position of equilibrium will shift to

the right if the pressure is increased because there are less molecules on
the right of the equation. Besides, a high pressure can also increase the rate of
reaction. Hence, a high pressure, 200 atm is used.
ii. Higher pressures are not used because:
- it is expensive to build and maintain the pipes and generators to withstand the
pressure, this increases the production cost.
- there is a risk of the pipes exploding.
iii. Hence, 200 atm is the compromise pressure chosen on economic grounds.

7) A catalyst of fine iron is used to increase the rate of reaction. Although it

has no effect on the position of equilibrium, it is essential because without it, the
reaction will too long to complete.

8) Under these conditions, about 15% of nitrogen and hydrogen converts to

ammonia. Unreacted molecules are recycled again so that the overall
percentage conversion is about 98%.
Industrial use of ammonia and nitrogen compounds derived from ammonia

1) i. Ammonia can be used to make fertilisers. Common fertilisers include

ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium phosphate and urea,
CO(NH2)2.
ii. This is because they contain the element nitrogen. Nitrogen is essential for plants
to grow healthy.

2) Ammonia is also a precursor for most nitrogen-containing

compounds. One famous example is the manufacture of nitric acid, HNO3 by
the oxidation of ammonia in the Ostwald process.

3) Nitric acid has several uses:

i. To make fertilisers such as ammonium nitrate(the main use).
ii. To make explosives such as TNT.
iii. To be used in the manufacture of dyes, polymers and drugs.

13.2 Environmental Consequence of Using

Nitrogen Compounds
Excessive use of nitrate fertilisers

1) When excessive nitrate or ammonium fertilisers are used, the unabsorbed ones will
dissolve in rain water and it leaches into lakes and rivers.

2) An excess of these chemicals in the waters can promote the growth of

algae, eventually causing an algae bloom. The algae grow exponentially across the
surface of water, blocking sunlight from the reach of aquatic plants and
causes the plants to die.

3) The algae grow faster than being consumed, eventually a large number of algae die
without being consumed. When their remains decompose, the process
takes up a lot of oxygen from the water. The oxygen level in the water will
eventually reach a level where no life can sustain.

4) This process of excess growth leading to the destruction of life in the water is
known as eutrophication.
5) Since nitrates are soluble in water, removing them from drinking water is very
expensive. High levels of nitrates in drinking water can cause a disease in young
babies called 'blue baby syndrome'. Nitrates in water can also potentially
cause stomach cancer.

Oxides of nitrogen as pollutants

1) i. Nitrogen monoxide, NO is formed when electric spark is passed through a

medium of nitrogen and oxygen.
ii. This happens in the atmosphere during lightning storms. In petrol engines, it is
formed when sparks are used to ignite the petrol.
N2(g) + O2(g) → 2NO(g)
iii. It can be removed in petrol engines using a catalytic converter. A catalytic
converter uses expensive metals like platinum as a catalyst to convert harmful
pollutants into non-harmful substances. In this case, it converts the harmful
nitrogen monoxide and carbon monoxide into non-harmful nitrogen and
carbon dioxide gases.
2NO(g) + 2CO(g) → N2(g) + CO2(g)
2) i. Nitrogen monoxide is converted to nitrogen dioxide, NO2 in the atmosphere.
2NO(g) + O2(g) → 2NO2(g)
ii. Nitrogen dioxide acts as a catalyst in the conversion of sulfur dioxide,
SO2 into sulfur trioxide, SO3.
SO2(g) + NO2(g) → SO3(g) + NO(g)
iii. Sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide are the main causes of acid rain. Sulfur
dioxide oxidises into sulfur trioxide and sulfur trioxide reacts with water in the
atmosphere to form sulfuric acid.
SO3(g) + H2O(l) → H2SO4(aq)
iv.The sulfuric acid then fall on earth as acid rain.
v. The nitrogen monoxide reacts with water in the atmosphere to re-form
nitrogen dioxide and the cycle repeats.
2NO(g) + O2(g) → 2NO2(g)

13.3 Sulfur Compounds

Uses and formation of sulfur dioxide, SO2 and its consequences

1) Atmospheric sulfur dioxide is formed during the burning of fossil fuels.

Fossil fuels like coal and oil all contain sulfur compounds, and when the coal or the
oil product are burned, sulfur dioxide is produced.

2) As discussed above, sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere can cause acid rain. The
consequences of acid rain include:
i. the corrosion of limestone buildings as the calcium carbonate reacts
with the acid.
ii. the corrosion of ironwork as the iron reacts with the acid.
iii. the acidification of lakes and rivers leading to the death of aquatic life.
This is complicated by the fact that a fall in pH dissolves aluminium ions from
the soil. Aluminium ions are toxic to fish.
iv.damage to trees. This again is partly the result of aluminium ions being
toxic to plants.

3) On the other hand, sulfur dioxide can be used as food preservative in, for
example, wine and dried fruit and vegetable. It has two functions:
i. It slows oxidation of the food by oxygen in the air.
ii. It also kills bacteria.
Manufacture of sulfuric acid - the Contact process

1) The Contact process:

i. makes sulfur dioxide.
ii. converts the sulfur dioxide into sulfur trioxide.
iii. converts the sulfur trioxide into concentrated sulfuric acid.

2) The sulfur dioxide, SO2 can be made by using two methods:

i. Burning sulfur in an excess of air.
S(s) + O2(g) → SO2(g)
ii. Heating sulfide ores like pyrite in an excess of air.
4FeS2(s) + 11O2(g) → 2Fe2O3(s) + 8SO2(g)

3) The sulfur dioxide made is then converted into sulfur

trioxide. This is the key process in the Contact process.
2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇌ 2SO3(g) ; ΔH = -196 kJ mol⁻¹

4) The required conditions to achieve this are: i.

(400 - 450) ºC.
ii. (1 - 2) atm (equivalent to about 101 kPa).
iii. Presence of vanadium(V) oxide, V2O5 as catalyst.

4) i. Sulfur dioxide and oxygen gas are fed into the reactor in a
ratio of 1:1. An excess of oxygen is used to shift the
position of equilibrium to the right.
ii. Higher proportions of oxygen are not used because it
wastes the space in the reactor and decrease the efficiency of the
catalyst, since the excess oxygen will have nothing to react
with.

5) i. The production of sulfur trioxide is an exothermic reaction in equilibrium.

According to Le Chatelier's principle, in order to shift the position of
equilibrium to the right as much as possible(to increase the yield), a low
temperature should be used. However, (400 - 450) ºC is not a low
temperature.
ii. A low temperature will decrease the rate of reaction albeit having a
high yield. The reaction will take a long time to complete and it is not
economically plausible.
 iii. Hence, (400 - 450) ºC is the compromise temperature that produces a
good enough yield in a short time.

6) i. According to Le Chatelier's principle, the position of equilibrium will shift to

the right if the pressure is increased because there are less molecules on
the right of the equation. Besides, a high pressure can also increase the rate of
reaction.
ii. However, the reaction is done almost at atmospheric pressure. This is because
even at this relatively low pressure, the conversion rate is already about
99.5 %. Increasing the pressure will only result in minor improvements.
ii. Higher pressures are not used because:
- it is expensive to build and maintain the pipes and generators to withstand the
pressure, this increases the production cost.
- there is a risk of the pipes exploding.

7) A catalyst of vanadium(V) oxide, V2O5 is used to increase the rate of

reaction. Although it has no effect on the position of equilibrium, it is essential
because without it, the reaction will too long to complete.

8) i. Then, sulfur trioxide is first converted into oleum or fuming sulfuric

acid. This is done by dissolving sulfur trioxide in concentrated sulfuric acid.
H2SO4(l) + SO3(g) → H2S2O7(l)
ii. It is then reacted with water to produce sulfuric acid.
H2S2O7(l) + H2O(l) → 2H2SO4(l)

9) In the last step, water cannot just react with sulfur trioxide. This is because a
mist of poisonous and uncontrollable sulfuric acid will be formed.
Dissolving it in concentrated sulfuric acid is a more gentle and safe way.
CHAPTER 14: An Introduction to Organic
Chemistry

14.1 Organic Compounds

14.2 Organic Reactions
14.3 Isomerism

Learning outcomes:

(a) interpret, and use the general, structural, displayed and skeletal formulae of the
following classes of compound:
(i) alkanes and alkenes.
(ii) halogenoalkanes.
(iii) alcohols (including primary, secondary and tertiary).
(iv) aldehydes and ketones.
(v) carboxylic acids and esters.
[Candidates will be expected to recognise the shape of the benzene ring when it is present in
organic compounds. Knowledge of benzene or its compounds is not required for AS.]
(b) interpret, and use the following terminology associated with organic reactions:
(i) functional group.
(ii) homolytic and heterolytic fission.
(iii) free radical, initiation, propagation, termination.
(iv) nucleophile, electrophile.
(v) addition, substitution, elimination, hydrolysis.
(vi) oxidation and reduction.
[in equations for organic redox reactions, the symbols [O] and [H] are acceptable]
(c) (i) describe the shapes of the ethane and ethene molecules.
(ii) predict the shapes of other related molecules.
(d) explain the shapes of the ethane and ethene molecules in terms of σ and π carbon-
carbon bonds.
(e) describe structural isomerism, and its division into chain, positional and functional
group isomerism.
(f) describe stereoisomerism, and its division into geometrical (cis-trans) and optical isomerism.
(g) describe cis-trans isomerism in alkenes, and explain its origin in terms of restricted
rotation due to the presence of π bonds.
(h) explain what is meant by a chiral centre and that such a centre gives rise to optical
isomerism
(i) identify chiral centres and/or cis-trans isomerism in a molecule of given structural formula.
(j) deduce the possible isomers for an organic molecule of known molecular formula.
(k) deduce the molecular formula of a compound, given its structural, displayed or
skeletal formula.
14.1 Organic Compounds
What is organic chemistry?

1) Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds (excluding simple compounds

like CO, CO2, CO3²⁻, HCO3⁻).

Formulae of organic compounds

1) There are five ways in which organic compounds/molecules can be presented:

i. Empirical formula
ii. Molecular formula
iii. Structural formula
iv.Displayed formula
v.Skeletal formula

2) i. Empirical formula gives the simplest ratio of the number of atoms of

each element present in the compound.
ii. Molecular formula gives the actual number of atoms of each element
present in the compound.
iii. These two formulae are least useful and rarely used in organic chemistry
because they do not reveal much information about the compounds.

3) Structural formula shows the order of the atoms joined together in an

organic compound. These formulae are usually written in one line.
Examples: Ethane - CH3CH3
Ethene - CH2=CH2 (only double and triple bonds are shown)
Ethanoic acid - CH3COOH
2-methylpentane - CH3CH(CH3)CH2CH3

4) Displayed formula shows the order of the atoms joined together, as well as
the orientation of the atoms and bond angles.
Examples:

Ethane Ethene Ethanoic acid 2-methylbutane

5) Skeletal formula shows only the functional groups. The carbon and hydrogen
atoms are simplified and hidden. In a skeletal formula:
i. there is a carbon atom at each junction and at the end of the bond, there
is no carbon atom at a place occupied by another functional group.
ii. there is enough hydrogen atoms bonded to each carbon so that each
carbon has four bonds only.

2-methylpentane 3-methylbutanoic
acid Propene Benzene

¤ ¤
Cyclohexane 2-methylbutanol

6) It is essential to learn to convert between different formulae of the same

compound.

Names of organic compounds

1) Organic compounds are named systematically according to the IUPAC

(International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) nomenclature.

2) For details, refer to the attached document at the end of the notes.

3) Some examples to fill the

page:
Functional groups

1) A functional group is a group of atoms in an organic compound that

determines the chemistry of that particular compound.

2) A homologous series is a series of compounds with the same functional group, and
the adjacent members differ in the number of carbon atoms.

[ Note: You do not need to memorise the table above at this moment. ]
Bonding in organic molecules

1) Carbon atoms which are sp³ hybridised(typically forming 4 bonds) have the
atoms bonded to it arranged in tetrahedral shape with a bond angle of
109.5°.

2) One such example is ethane. In an ethane molecule, the

two carbon atoms undergo sp³ hybridisation. All other
atoms are bonded to the carbon atoms via σ bonds. All
bond angles are 109.5°.

3) If the carbon chain is longer, all the bond angles are still 109.5°, the molecule has
a zig-zag shape.

Butane Octane
4) Carbon atoms which are sp² hybridised(typically forming 3
bonds) have the atoms bonded to it arranged in a trigonal
planar shape with bond angle 120°.

5) One such example is ethene. In an ethene molecule, the two carbon atoms
undergo sp² hybridisation. The two carbon atoms are connected via σ and π
bonds, a double bond is formed between the two carbon atoms. The bond
angle is 120°.

6) If the carbon chain is longer, depending on the number of double bonds, a

mixture of trigonal planar and tetrahedral shape is possible. However, each
carbon atoms can only have either one.

7) Observe the but-1,2-ene molecule beside. Carbon 1 3 4

and 2 are sp² hybridised, so the atoms around it have a
trigonal planar arrangement. Carbon 3 and 4 are sp³ 2

hybridised, so the atoms around it have a tetrahedral 1

arrangement.

[ Note : For greater detail on hybridisation and bonding, refer Chapter 4 ]

14.2 Organic Reactions
Reactions that organic compounds undergo

1) Organic reactions are classified using two ways:

i. By the type of reagent used:
- Nucleophilic
- Electrophilic
ii. By what happens during the reaction:
- Addition
- Substitution
- Elimination

2) Some common reactions:

- Free-radical substitution
- Electrophilic addition
- Electrophilic substitution
- Nucleophilic addition
- Nucleophilic substitution
- Redox (oxidation and reduction)
- Hydrolysis
[ Note : You do not need to be familiar with these names at this moment. ]

Homolytic and heterolytic bond fission

1) Organic reactions involve the breaking of covalent bonds. There are two ways in
which a covalent bond can be broken, by homolytic or heterolytic fission.

2) Homolytic fission is the breaking of a covalent bond in

such a way that one electron goes to each atom,
forming free-radicals.

3) A free-radical is an atom or a group of atoms with an unpaired electrons

formed from the homolytic fission of a covalent bond and is very reactive.

4) Heterolytic fission is the breaking of a covalent

bond in such a way that both electrons go to
the same atom, forming cation and anion.
Curly arrows

1) Curly arrows are used in organic chemistry to represent the movement of

electron(s). It is often used in the presentation of an organic mechanism.

2) The tail of the arrow shows where the electron(s) originates from
while the head shows the place where electron(s) is/are moved to.
The electrons can either originate from a lone pair or from a
bond.

3) Half arrows show the movement of one electron while a full arrow shows the
movement of two electrons. In the diagram above, the first is a half arrow
while the second is a full arrow.

4) Curly arrows can only be used to represent the movement of electron(s), they
may not be used for other purposes to avoid ambiguity.

Nucleophiles and electrophiles

1) A nucleophile is a species which contains a lone pair of electrons and is

attracted to regions of positive charge or electron-deficient sites. They are often
negatively-charged or carry a partial negative charge.

2) Some examples of nucleophiles are NH3, CN⁻, OH⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻ and H2O.

3) An electrophile is an electron-deficient species which can accept electrons and is

attracted to regions of negative charge or electron-rich sites. They are often
positively-charged or carry a partial positive charge.

4) Some examples of electrophiles are H⁺, Br⁺, Cl⁺ and NO2⁺.

[ Note : A benzene ring is an electron-rich region ]

14.3 Isomerism
What are isomers?

1) Isomers are two or more compounds with the same molecular formula but a
different arrangement of atoms in space. Organic molecules which exhibit this
property show isomerism.

2) This excludes any different arrangements which are simply due

to the molecule rotating as a whole, or rotating about particular bonds.
For example, both of the following are the same molecule. They are not isomers,
both are butane.

3) Isomers must have different names. A good way to identify isomers is

by naming the molecules, molecules with the same name are not isomers.

4) There are two types of isomerism

i. Structural isomerism
ii. Stereoisomerism
Structural isomerism

1) Chain isomerism arises due to the different arrangement of carbon

atoms in a chain. The carbon atoms may be arranged in a straight chain or
branched chain.

Isomers of butane, C₄H₁₀ Isomers of pentane, C₅H₁₂

2) Positional isomerism arises due to different positions of

functional group in the carbon chain.

Isomers of C3H7Br
Isomers of butanol, C₄H₉OH

3) Functional isomerism arises due to different functional groups.

Some isomers of C₃H₆O

[ Note : Propanal is an aldehyde while propanone is a ketone, they belong to

different homologous series ]
4) More examples:

Stereoisomerism - Geometrical (cis-trans or E-Z) isomerism

1) Geometrical isomerism arises due to the rotation about a bond is

restricted. It is common in compounds containing carbon-carbon double
bond(C=C bond) and certain ring systems.

2) i. A C=C bond cannot be rotated due to the presence of π bond. A π bond

will break if a rotation occurs. Conversely, a carbon-carbon single bond is
rotatable.

≡ ≠

ii. In ring systems, rotation about a bond is restricted due to the linkage of the
ring because the C-C bond is now part of the ring system.
3) Geometrical isomers occur in pairs, differing from each other in the
positioning of the two groups across the double bond.
i. A cis-isomer has the two groups on the same side of the double bond.
ii. A trans-isomer has the two groups on the opposite sides of the double bond.

4) To identify geometrical(cis-trans) isomers, it is essential to draw the groups

around the double bond showing the correct bond angles(120°).

5) Geometrical(cis-trans) isomerism cannot exist if either carbon carries

identical groups. In short, to have geometrical isomers, it is essential to have
two different groups on the left and two different groups on the right.

6) More examples:
7) Geometrical isomers have similar(not identical) chemical properties but different
physical properties.

8) cis-isomer generally has a higher boiling point than trans-isomer. This is

because dipoles in a cis-isomer do not cancel out each other, causing the entire
molecule to have a net dipole moment and it is polar. Permanent dipole-
dipole forces exist and more energy is required to overcome it.

9) trans-isomer generally has a higher melting point than cis-isomer. This is

because in the solid state, trans-isomers pack more efficiently in the crystalline
lattice due to its shape.

Stereoisomerism - Optical isomerism

1) Optical isomerism arises due to the ability of compounds to rotate the

plane of polarisation of a plane-polarised light.

2) A compound is said to be optically-active(optical isomerism exists) if it rotates

the plane of polarised light. If it does not, it is said to be optically-inactive.

3) For a compound to be optically active:

i. It needs to have an asymmetrical carbon with
four different groups attached to it so that
there is no plane of symmetry. The carbon atoms
with four different groups attached to it is called
the chiral carbon or chiral centre.
ii. The isomers must be mirror-images of each other
and are non-superimposable. That is, no matter how
the molecules are rotated, they never fully
resemble each other.
A and B are optical isomers
4) An example:

5) To identify optical isomers:

i. In chain systems, check which carbon has four different groups attached to it.
ii. In ring systems, check also which carbon has four different groups attached to it.
A different group here can be identified by tracking around that ring from
a particular carbon atom in either clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. If the
pattern along the way is the same, that carbon atom is not chiral, and the
converse is also true.
iii. An example:

Only carbon 9 is not a chiral carbon in this

cholesterol molecule
Attachment
NOMENCLATURE OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
©2010, 2003, 1980, by David A. Katz. All rights reserved.

Organic chemistry is the chemistry of carbon compounds. Carbon has the ability to bond with itself to
form long chains and, as a result, millions of compounds from simple hydrocarbons to large
biomolecules such as proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. Originally it was believed that
these compounds had to come from a living organism, now they are synthesized in the laboratory.

The simplest organic compounds are composed of carbon and hydrogen and are known as hydrocarbons.
There are four types, or classes, of hydrocarbons:
Alkanes: contain all C-C single bonds. These are known as saturated hydrocarbons.
Alkenes: contain at least one C=C double bond.
Alkynes: contain at least one C≡C triple bond. Both alkenes and alkynes are known as
unsaturated hydrocarbons
Aromatic hydrocarbons: contain a benzene structure

Lewis structures of alkanes look like this:

These are also called structural formulas. Since these take up a lot of space, condensed structural
formulas are used.

Even simpler than condensed structures are skeletal or line structures:

There are a range of structures used to represent organic compounds:

Before we start naming organic compounds, it is important to understand how carbon atoms are bonded.
Every carbon atom will try to form 4 bonds.
H
A carbon atom on the end of a chain of single bonded carbon atoms will be bonded to
 
one carbon atom and three hydrogen atoms:
CCH
 
H

1
 H
A carbon atom in the middle of a chain of single bonded carbon atoms will be  H 
bonded to two carbon atoms and two hydrogen atoms.  C C C 
 C C  C
H
  
H
A carbon atom bonded to 3 other single bonded carbon atoms will be bonded to one   
hydrogen.  CCC
  
 C

H
A carbon atom on the end of a chain that is double bonded to another carbon atom be  
bonded to two hydrogen atoms. CC
 \
H
H H
A carbon atom in the middle of a chain of that is double bonded to another carbon
atom will be bonded to one carbon atom and one hydrogen atom.    
CCCC
 

A carbon atom on the end of a chain that is triple bonded to another carbon atom
will be bonded to one hydrogen atom. The second carbon atom in that chain is only 
bonded to another carbon atom, but no hydrogen atoms. CCCH


I. Naming Saturated Hydrocarbons - The Alkanes

The names of the alkanes are derived from the Greek prefix for the particular number of carbon atoms
in the compound with an -ane ending. The names of the first ten alkanes are given in the following
table.

2
 Not all the alkanes are straight chained compounds, as shown in the previous table, they can have side chains or
branches. These variations of compounds which have the same number of carbon and hydrogen atoms, but a
different arrangement are known as isomers. Some isomers are shown in the diagram below.

Rules for Naming of Branched Hydrocarbons.

There are four parts to the name of a branched hydrocarbon
1. The parent chain: Tells how many carbons are in the longest continuous chain.
meth = 1 eth = 2 prop = 3 but = 4 pent = 5
2. The suffix: Tells what type of compound it is.
ane = an alkane ene = an alkene yne = an alkyne
3. The prefix: Tells what groups, or branches are attached to the parent chain.
methyl =  CH3 ethyl =  CH2 CH3 propyl = CH2CH2CH3
4. The location: Tells where groups, or branches, are attached to the parent chain.
nd rd th
2 = 2 carbon atom 3 = 3 carbon atom 4 = 4 carbon atom
st
Note: alkyl groups, or branches cannot be located on the 1 or last carbon

3
 Example
1:
CH3-CH-CH2-CH-CH3
 
CH3 CH3
1. Select as the parent chain the LONGEST CONTINUOUS CHAIN of carbon atoms. The
compound is considered to have been derived from the parent structure by the replacement of
hydrogens by various alkyl groups.

CH3-CH-CH2-CH-CH3
 
CH3 CH3

The longest continuous chain of carbon atoms in this example contains five carbon atoms.
Since the carbon atoms in this compound all contain The alkane that contains five carbon
atoms is pentane.

2. Identify the branches, or side chains, attached to the parent chain.

CH3-CH-CH2-CH-CH3
 
CH3 CH3

Both branches consist of single carbon atoms, there are called methyl groups

3. Starting from either end of the longest carbon chain, number the carbon atoms in the parent
chain consecutively so that the alkyl groups (or branches) are attached to the carbon atoms
with the lowest possible numbers.

1 2 3 4 5
CH3-CH-CH2-CH-CH3
 
CH3 CH3

For this compound, it makes no difference which end you start the numbering. In both
cases the alkyl groups, or branches are attached to the second and fourth carbon atoms in
the parent chain.

4. Name the compound in order of: number of carbon atom-alkyl group attached(number of
carbon atom-alkyl group attached- etc...) name of parent compound. If there are several
different alkyl groups attached to the parent chain, name them in order of increasing size or
in alphabetical order.

The name for this compound looks like it would be called would be called 2-methyl-4-
methylpentane, however, all branches with the same name are grouped together. The
number of these branches have a prefix:

di = 2 tri = 3 tetra = 4 penta = 5

But, each branch needs a specified location, so, the correct name is 2,4-dimethylpentane

4
Example
2 CH3 CH3
 
CH3- CH-CH2-CH-CH-CH2-CH3

CH2-CH2-CH3

In this compound, the longest continuous chain is 8 carbon atoms long. Note that the
longest continuous chain does not have to be straight. This longest chain is oct- (for 8
carbons)

All the bonds are single bonds, so this is an alkane. The suffix is -ane

This parent chain is octane

CH3 CH3
 
CH3- CH-CH2-CH-CH-CH2-CH3

CH2-CH2-CH3

There are three branches attached to the parent chain. Two of these are methyl groups
and one is an ethyl group.

Number the carbon atoms, so that the groups are attached to the carbon atoms with the
lowest possible numbers.

CH3 CH3
 
CH3- CH-CH2-CH-CH-CH2-CH3
1 2 3 4 5
CH2-CH2-CH3
6 7 8

The two methyl groups in this compound are attached on the 2nd and 4th carbon atoms and
the ethyl group is attached to the 5th carbon atom.

This compound is named 5-ethyl-2,4-dimethyloctane. Note that the branches are named
in alphabetical order.

II. Naming Unsaturated Hydrocarbons – Alkenes and Alkynes

Rules for Naming Alkenes and Alkynes

Alkenes contain at least one carbon to carbon double bond. The suffix used is –ene.

Alkynes contain at least one carbon to carbon triple bond. The suffix used is –yne.

5
Naming is the same as used for alkanes, except that the parent structure is the longest continuous
chain of carbon atoms that contains the carbon-carbon double bond or triple bond. The name is
derived by changing the suffix of the corresponding alkane name to –ene for an alkene and –yne for
an alkyne and a number is added to denote the location of the multiple bond.

Example:
CH3CHCHCH3

The longest continuous chain in this compound contains four carbon atoms. The parent
structure would be named but + ene (to denote the double bond)

Number the carbon atoms in' the longest chain in such a way that the carbon atoms
containing the double bond have the lowest possible numbers.

1 2 3 4
CH3CHCHCH3

For this compound, the numbering should start on the left side so the double bond will be
located between carbon atom no. 2 and carbon atom no. 3. Although the double bond involves
two carbon atoms, its position is designated by the number of the first doubly-bonded carbon
atom when numbering from the end of the parent chain nearest the double bond. So, this
compound would be named 2-butene.

Example:
CH3CH2CH=CH2

In this compound the double bond is located between the 1st and 2nd carbon atoms.
The compound is named 1-butene.

Example:
CH3CHCHCH=CH2

The longest continuous chain in this compound contains five carbon atoms. The parent
structure would be named pent- however, the compound contains two carbon-carbon double
bonds. The number of double bonds, if greater than 1, is denoted by a prefix added to the
suffix.
di = 2 tri = 3 tetra = 4

The p[aren’t chain is named pentadiene Note that an “a” is added to the name to make it easier
to pronounce.

Number the carbon atoms in' the longest chain in such a way that the carbon atoms containing
the double bond have the lowest possible numbers.

5 4 3 2 1
CH3CHCHCH=CH2

For this compound, the numbering should start on the right side so the double bonds will be
located between carbon atom no. 1 and carbon atom no. 2 and carbon atom no. 3 and carbon
atom no. 4. The name of the compound is 1,3-pentadiene
6
 Example
CH3CH2CCH

The longest continuous chain in this compound contains four carbon atoms. The parent
structure would be named but + yne (to denote the triple bond)

Number the carbon atoms in' the longest chain in such a way that the carbon atoms containing
the triple bond have the lowest possible numbers.

4 3 2 1
CH3CH2CCH

For this compound, the numbering should start on the right side so the triple bond will be
located between carbon atom no. 1 and carbon atom no. 2. This compound would be named 1-
butyne.

If the compound is branched, the name is determined similar to that used for the alkanes.

Example. CH 3-CH-CH=CH-CH3

CH3

This compound is named 4-methyl-2-pentene. Note that the double bond takes precedence in
naming.

III. Naming Aromatic Compounds

Aromatic Compounds are cyclic hydrocarbons containing a benzene structure.

Benzene can be represented by the resonance structures:

The actual structure of benzene, however, is a resonance hybrid of these two structure
usually written as:

7
 Benzene rings can be fused together. These compounds have common names.

Naphthalene Anthracene

An aromatic compound which is formed by having an alkyl group attached to a benzene ring
is named by prefixing the alkyl group name to the word benzene. An example of this is
named methylbenzene or toluene

If there are only two groups attached to the benzene ring, their relative positions can be
designated by numbers or by the terms ortho, meta. or para, abbreviated o-, m-, or p-.

1,2-dinitrobenzene 1,3-dinitrobenzene 1,4-dinitrobenzene

ortho-dinitrobenzene meta-dinitrobenzene para-dinitrobenzene

Ortho = the 1 and 2 positions on the ring (adjacent carbon atoms)

Meta = the 1 and 3 positions on the ring (alternate carbon atoms)
Para = the 1 and 4 positions on the ring (opposite carbon atoms)

IV. Naming Functional Group Compounds

Derivatives are formed by replacing one or more of the hydrogens in a hydrocarbon by a

FUNCTIONAL GROUP. The functional group is responsible for giving what is ordinarily an
inactive compound the characteristic chemical and physical properties of another class of
compounds.

A. Halogen Derivatives of Hydrocarbons

Functional Group: - X (F, Cl, Br, I)

General Formula: R-X

Naming of Halides
Halogens attached to a hydrocarbon chain are named by replacing the -ine ending of the halogen
name with –o. When naming a compound, halogens are named in the same manner as alkyl group
branches.

8
 Examples: Cl Br
 
CH3-Br CH3CH2-I CH3CHCH3 CH3CH2CHCH2Br

bromomethane iodoethane 2-chloropropane 1,2-dibromobutane

B. Oxygen Derivatives of the Hydrocarbons

These functional group compounds contain at least one oxygen atom in its structure.

1. Alcohols
Functional Group: OH

General Formula: ROH

Naming of alcohols:
Number the-longest carbon chain so that the -OH group is attached to the carbon atom with the
lowest possible number. Name the parent compound by using the alkane name and replacing
the -e ending with an -ol ending. Indicate the position of the hydroxyl. group with a number in
any alcohol containing three or more carbon atoms.

Examples:
OH

CH3OH CH3CH2OH CH3CH2CH2OH CH3CHCH3
methanol ethanol 1-propanol 2-propanol
(methyl alcohol) (ethyl alcohol) (propyl alcohol) (isopropyl alcohol)

OH
Aromatic alcohols are called phenols and contain the structure:

2. Ethers
Functional Group: O
General formula: ROR

Naming of ethers
Ethers are commonly named by naming each group attached to the oxygen followed by the word
ether. If one group has no simple name, the ether can be named as an alkoxy derivative of the
larger group.

Examples:

CH3-O-CH3 CH3-O-CH2CH3 CH3CH2-O-CH2CH3

dimethyl ether methyl ethyl ether diethyl ether
(methoxymethane) (methoxyethane) (ethoxyethane)

9
3. Carbonyl Compounds
Carbonyl compounds all contain a  O

This includes several types of compounds:

Aldehydes
Ketones
Carboxylic acids
Esters
Amides

a) Aldehydes
O

Functional Group: CH
O

General formula: RCH or shorthand as CHO (The oxygen is bonded to a terminal carbon
atom)

Naming of aldehydes:
Number the-longest carbon chain starting with the -CHO group. Name the parent compound by
using the alkane name and replacing the -e ending with an -al ending.

Examples:
O O
 
HCH CH3CH
methanal ethanal
(methyl aldehyde) (ethyl aldehyde also known as acetaldehyde)

b) Ketones
O

Functional Group: C

O

General formula: RCR (The oxygen is bonded to a carbon atom in the middle of the chain)

Naming of Ketones:
Number the-longest carbon chain starting so that the –C=O group is attached to the carbon atom
with the lowest number. Name the parent compound by using the alkane name and replacing the -
e ending with an -one ending.

10
Examples:
O O
 
CH3CCH3 CH3CCH2CH3
propanone 2-butanone
(dimethyl ketone or (methylethyl ketone)
acetone)

c) Carboxylic acids
O

Functional Group: COH

O

General formula: RCOH or shorthand as COOH (The carboxyl group is bonded to a terminal
carbon atom)

Naming of acids:
Number the-longest carbon chain starting with the -COOH group. Name the parent compound by
using the alkane name and replacing the -e ending with an –oic acid ending.

Examples:
O O
 
HCOH CH3COH
methanoic acid ethanoic acid
(formic acid) (acetic acid)

d) Esters
An ester is formed from the combination of a carboxylic acid and an alcohol. They are often
highly aromatic compounds and are used for flavors and fragrances.
O

Functional Group: CO

O

General formula: RCOR’ (The R’ may be the same or different from R)

Naming of esters
Esters are usually named by naming the R’ group [from an alcohol] as an akyl group first
followed by the acid name [the R-C group] with ending -oate. Esters are often called by their
common names.

Examples of esters and their flavor/odor properties are given in the table below.

11
Formula Common name IUPAC name Flavor/odor

O
 ethyl formate ethyl methanoate rum
HC-O-CH2-CH3

O
 n-amyl acetate pentyl ethanoate pears, bananas
H3C-C-O-CH2-(CH2)3-CH3

O
 isoamyl acetate 3-methylbutyl ethanoate pears, bananas
H3C-C-O-CH2-CH2-CH(CH3)2

O
 n-octyl acetate octyl ethanoate oranges
H3C-C-O-CH2-(CH2)6-CH3

O
 isobutyl propionate 2-methylpropyl propanoate rum
H3C-CH2-C-O- CH2-CH(CH3)2

O
 methyl butyrate methyl butanoate apples
H3C-CH2-CH2-C-O-CH3

O
 ethyl butyrate ethyl butanoate pineapples
H3C-CH2-CH2-C-O-CH2-CH3

O
 n-butyl butyrate butyl butanoate pineapples
H3C-CH2-CH2-C-O-CH2-(CH2)2-CH3

O
 n-amyl butyrate pentyl butanoate apricots
H3C-CH2-CH2-C-O-CH2-(CH2)3-CH3

O
 isoamyl valerate 3-methylbutyl butanoate apples
H3C-(CH2)3-C-O-CH2-CH2-CH (CH3)2

HO
O methyl salicylate methyl 2-hydroxybenzoate oil of wintergreen
C
H3C O

e) Amides
O
 
Functional Group: CN:


O

General formula: RCNH2

12
 Naming of Amides
Amides are commonly named similar to a carboxylic acid, replacing the –oic acid suffix with
amide.

Examples:
O O
 
HCNH2 CH3CNH2
formamide ethanamide
(methylamide) (ethylamide or acetamide)

A summary of the functional group compounds, their structures and names is listed in
tables on the next two pages.

13
 Sufiix
Functional Compound or Systematic
Prefix Name
Group 7ype of Name Example (Commnn Namel

alkcnc
-ene c=c c\hcne
(clhylcnc )

alkync
-I’m? H—C C— H

—e — ii— u alcohol -o1 methanol

(inci hyl alcohtil)
H

I
—C — X:
{X = halogen) H

I I
amino -iiminc H—C — C—N—H

H HH

—C —
H aldehydc —ct H—C — C— H
14
el hanal
(ucctaldehydc)
 suifix Systematic
functional Compound or Prefix
Name
Group Type of Name Example (Common Name)

:O: H :O: H
I II I I II I
—C—C—C— kCtDne
H—C—C—C—H 2•}xopsmone
H H (aelone)

:O: H : : H—C—
—C—0—H carbocyTic -oic
C— —H ethanoic acid
acid " acid
(acetic acid)

:O H :O: H
i ., i -o8tc
! II
H—C—C —O— C—H
I
mcfhyl cthanoate
:
H H
(ntetñyJ acetate)

H :O: H—C
amide -amide —C—N—H cthanamide
H H

nitrite -nitrite etkanenibile

methyl cyanide)
15
CHAPTER 15: Hydrocarbons
15.1 Introduction to Alkanes
15.2 Reactions of Alkanes
15.3 Introduction to Alkenes
15.4 Reactions of Alkenes
15.5 Uses of Hydrocarbons

Learning outcomes:

(a) show awareness of the general unreactivity of alkanes, including towards polar reagents.
(b) describe the chemistry of alkanes as exemplified by the following reactions of ethane:
(i) combustion.
(ii) substitution by chlorine and by bromine.
(c) describe the mechanism of free-radical substitution at methyl groups with particular
reference to the initiation, propagation and termination reactions.
(d) describe the chemistry of alkenes as exemplified, where relevant, by the following reactions
of ethene and propene (including the Markovnikov addition of asymmetric
electrophiles to propene):
(i) addition of hydrogen, steam, hydrogen halides and halogens.
(ii) oxidation by cold, dilute, acidified manganate(VII) ions to form the diol.
(iii) oxidation by hot, concentrated, acidified manganate(VII) ions leading to the rupture of
the carbon-to-carbon double bond in order to determine the position of alkene
linkages in larger molecules.
(iv) polymerisation.
(e) describe the mechanism of electrophilic addition in alkenes, using bromine/ethene
and hydrogen bromide/propene as examples.
(f) explain the use of crude oil as a source of both aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons.
(g) suggest how ‘cracking’ can be used to obtain more useful alkanes and alkenes of lower
Mr from larger hydrocarbon molecules.
(h) describe and explain how the combustion reactions of alkanes led to their use as fuels
in industry, in the home and in transport.
(i) recognise the environmental consequences of:
(i) carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and unburnt hydrocarbons arising from the
internal combustion engine and of their catalytic removal.
(ii) gases that contribute to the enhanced greenhouse effect.
15.1 Introduction to Alkanes
What is an alkane?

1) A hydrocarbon is a compound containing carbon and hydrogen atoms only.

Examples of hydrocarbons are alkanes, alkenes, alkynes and arenes.

2) Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons, the carbon atoms are joined to each
other via single covalent bond only. They form the homologous series with a
general formula CnH2n+2.

3) Physical properties of alkanes:

i. Alkanes are non-polar, thus they are soluble in non-polar solvents like CCl4.
They are, in general, insoluble and less dense than water.

ii. The boiling point of straight-chain alkanes increases with the size of
molecule. This is because the number of electrons in each molecule
increases, resulting in the increased strength of van der Waals'. Thus more
energy is required to break these forces.

iii. For a branched alkane, it is more volatile and its boiling point is lower than
its counterpart with the same number of carbon atoms. This is because they are
more spherical and have a lower surface area. Thus less temporary dipoles can be
set up and the van der Waals' forces are weaker, less energy is required to
overcome it.

iv.The density of liquid alkanes increases slightly. The mass of each

succeeding molecule increases but due to the increased strength of van der
Waals' forces, the molecules are more closer together. This results in higher
ratio of mass/volume.
4) Cycloalkanes are alkanes that joined up as a ring. The
smallest possible cycloalkane is cyclopropane.
Cycloalkanes have two hydrogen less than the
corresponding straight-chai alkanes.

15.2 Reactions of Alkanes

Reactivity of alkanes

1) Alkanes are saturated and generally unreactive because they are non-polar,
hence they are unattractive towards nucleophiles and electrophiles.

2) Alkanes will only react with non-polar reagents in the presence of heat or
ultraviolet light.

Combustion

1) Alkanes undergo complete combustion under excess oxygen gas to give

carbon dioxide and water. For example:
CH4(g) + 2O2(g) → CO2(g) + 2H2O(g) ΔH° = -890 kJ mol⁻¹

2) In general,

3) Larger alkanes are more difficult to ignite. This is because alkanes only burn in the
gaseous state and larger alkanes have stronger van der Waals' forces that hold them
together. Therefore more energy is required to vaporise it.

4) When the supply of oxygen is limited, alkanes undergo incomplete

combustion. The possible products are carbon monoxide, carbon and water. For
example,
2CH4(g) + 3O2(g) → 2CO(g) + 4H2O(g) or
CH4(g) + O2(g) → C(s) + 2H2O(g)
Halogenation

1) Alkanes undergo halogenation via free-radical substitution to give a range of

products. In free-radical substitution, hydrogen atoms in the molecule are
gradually substituted by halogen atoms.

2) Reagent : Chlorine gas, Cl2 or bromine gas, Br2

Condition : The presence of ultraviolet(UV) light or
sunlight Product : Halogenoalkanes (alkanes with
halogens)

3) Free-radical substitution proceeds via a chain reaction. During a chain

reaction, for every reactive species you start off with, a new one is generated at the
end, and this keeps the process going.

4) i. When methane reacts with chlorine in sunlight, the greenish-yellow colour

fades and steamy acidic fumes of hydrogen chloride can be observed.

ii. However, this is a chain reaction and does not end here. More hydrogen
atoms will be substituted as long as there are sufficient chlorine atoms.

5) The mechanism of free-radical substitution:

i. Step 1: Initiation step
The reaction is initiated by the homolytic fission of chlorine molecule in
the presence of UV light, forming chlorine free radicals.

ii. Step 2: Propagation step

The free radicals then attack the methane molecules, leading to a chain reaction.
 iii. Step 3: Termination step
The reaction ends with the free radicals joining up with each other.

[ Note: All other alkanes react in a similar manner but the reactions involved
are getting more and more complicated. ]

6) To produce mainly tetrachloromethane, an excess of chlorine gas is used so that all

the hydrogen atoms eventually get substituted.

7) Bromine gas reacts in a similar manner but the reaction is slower.

15.3 Introduction to Alkenes

What is an alkene?

1) Alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons which contain at least one

carbon-carbon double bond(C=C) bond. They form the homologous series
with the general formula of CnH2n.

2) The physical properties of alkenes are similar to that of alkanes.

3) Alkenes can exhibit both structural and stereoisomerism. This is due

to the rotation-restricting double bond. The isomers of C4H8 are:

The structural isomers The geometrical isomers

15.4 Reactions of Alkenes
Electrophilic addition

1) Unlike alkanes, alkenes are more reactive because they are

unsaturated and contain a C=C bond. A C=C bond contains a
σ bond and a π bond. A π bond is a region of high density
of electron which is open to attack by something that
carries an amount of positive charge, electrophiles.

2) Alkenes mainly undergo electrophilic addition. An electrophilic addition

reaction is the addition of an electrophile across the C=C bond.

3) The general mechanism of electrophilic addition:

i. The electronegativity difference in an electrophile, say, XY causes the
molecule to be polar. Therefore it carries a δ+ and δ- end. The δ+ end of
the molecule behaves as an electrophile.
ii. The δ+ end is attracted to the π bond, a region with high electron density.
As it approaches the π bond, the electrons in the X-Y bond are repelled
further and further to the Y atom.

iii. Eventually the electrons are donated to Y, forming Y⁻ ion. The X atom forms a
single bond with carbon. The electrons needed for this bonding come from the π
bond. As a result, the adjacent carbon atom will carry a positive charge because
it has lost its π electron to the C-X bond.
 iv.The carbon-containing species which carries a positive charge is called
carbocation. The carbocation is attracted to the negative Y⁻ ion. These two
particles eventually bond together via a co-ordinate bond.

4) In the examination, the mechanism can be written like this. The curly arrows
show the movement of electrons.

5) The addition of unsymmetrical alkenes follows Markovnikov's rule:

" In the addition of H-X to a C=C bond of an unsymmetrical alkene,
the hydrogen atom attaches itself to the carbon atom that holds the
greatest number of hydrogen atoms. "
Minor product

Major product

6) Hydrocarbons can be classified as primary, secondary or tertiary depending on the

number of R groups attached to the positive carbon.

The Rs are alkyl groups, they can be the same or different. Carbocation is
formed as an intermediate when the electrophile bonds with the carbon
atom.

7) The alkyl groups have an electron-pushing effect, they tend to push the
electrons towards the carbon atom which carries a positive charge.
8) It follows that tertiary carbocation is the most stable because the
positive charge is neutralised by the negative charges. The charge density on the
carbon atom is the least.

9) Therefore, if the electrophile is bonded in such a way that a tertiary carbocation is

produced, the stability of the intermediate formed can be increased. This can only
happen if the hydrogen attaches itself with the carbon with most hydrogen
atom(normally at the ends of the molecule). Therefore Markovnikov's rule is
obeyed.

10) Reactions that alkenes undergo:

i. Addition of hydrogen, H2 (Hydrogenation)
ii. Addition of steam, H2O (Hydration)
iii. Addition of halogen, X2 (Halogenation) where X = A halogen
iv.Addition of hydrogen halide, HX where X = A halogen
v.Oxidation by cold and hot potassium manganate(VII), KMnO4
vi. Addition polymerisation

Addition of hydrogen, H2 (Hydrogenation)

1) Reagent : Hydrogen gas, H2

Condition : Heat in the presence of nickel, Ni catalyst at 150
°C Product : Alkanes

2) In hydrogenation of ethene, two hydrogen atoms are added across the C=C
double bond. Ethane is produced.

3) In this case, although hydrogen molecule has no polarity, it is still able to behave as
an electrophile. This is because as the hydrogen molecule approaches the double
bond, a dipole is induced due to the repulsion between the two bond pair of
electrons(one from the C=C bond, another from the H-H bond).
Addition of steam, H2O (Hydration)

1) Reagent : Steam, H2O

Condition : Heat the gaseous alkene at 330 °C and 60 atm in the
presence of phosphoric(V) acid, H3PO4 as catalyst
Product : Alcohols (compounds that -OH group)

2) In the hydration of alkene, steam, H-OH is added across the double bond.
Ethanol is produced.

3) The detailed mechanism of the reaction is as follow:

The only way oxygen can have 3

bonds is by having a positive charge.

4) The addition of unsymmetrical alkene is as follow. Take propene as an example:

Minor product

Major product
Addition of halogen, X2 (Halogenation)

1) Reagent : Halogen, X2 (in tetrachloromethane or

aqueous) Condition : Room temperature in dark
Product : Halogenoalkanes (alkanes with halogens)

2) When ethene is bubbled into Br2 in CC4 at room temperature in dark, Br-Br is
added across the C=C bond. The brown colour of bromine is decolourised. 1,2-
dibromoethane is produced.

Ethene

3) The mechanism of this reaction is as follow:

4) When ethene is bubbled into aqueous Br2 at room temperature in dark, two
products are obtained:

5) Br2 in CCl4 is used as a test to differentiate alkanes and alkenes as

they both are colourless. Alkene will decolourise the brown colour of
bromine whereas alkane will not.

Addition of hydrogen halide, HX

1) Reagent : Hydrogen halide,

HX(g) Condition : Room
temperature
Product : Halogenoalkanes (alkanes with halogens)

2) When ethene reacts with hydrogen bromide, 1-bromoethane, a halogenoalkane is

produced.
3) The mechanism of this reaction is as follow:

4) The addition of unsymmetrical alkene is as follow. Take propene as an example:

Oxidation by cold and dilute potassium manganate(VII) solution, KMnO4

1) Reagent : Cold and dilute potassium manganate(VII)

solution, KMnO4
Condition : Room temperature
Product : Alcohols(diols)

2) When ethene is reacted with cold, dilute acidified KMnO4 solution, the purple
colour of KMnO4 is decolourised. Ethane-1,2-diol is produced.

3) This is a redox reaction, the carbon species is oxidised while the oxidising agent is
reduced.

4) This is another test used to differentiate alkanes and alkenes. Only

alkene will decolourise the purple colour of KMnO4 whereas alkane will
not.
Oxidation by hot and concentrated potassium manganate(VII) solution, KMnO4

1) Reagent : Hot and concentrated acidified

potassium manganate(VII) solution,
KMnO4
Condition : Room temperature
Product : Carbon dioxide/carboxylic acids/ketones

2) When an alkene is reacted with hot and concentrated acidified KMnO 4

solution, the C=C bond in the alkene ruptures. The purple colour of
KMnO4 is also decolourised. The product formed will differ according to the
position of the C=C bond.

3) i. If there are two alkyl groups at one end of the bond, that part of the molecule
will give a ketone. For example:

ii. If there are one alkyl group and one hydrogen at one end of the bond, that
part of the molecule will give a carboxylic acid. For example:

Ethanal(an aldehyde) is further oxidised to ethanoic acid(a carboxylic acid)

The net effect is as such:

iii. If there are two hydrogens at one end of the bond, that part of the molecule
will give carbon dioxide and water. For example:

4) This reaction is useful in determining the position of C=C bond in an alkene

molecule. This can be done by examining the product(s) formed.
Addition polymerisation

1) Alkenes can open up its C=C bond and join with each other in a long chain to
form a polymer. A polymer is a long-chain molecule made of repeating units
called monomers.

2) i. Polymer : Poly(propene)
Monomer : Propene

ii. Polymer : Poly(chloroethene) (polyvinyl chloride or PVC)

Monomet : Chloroethane

iii. Polymer : Poly(ethene) (polythene or polyethylene)

Monomer : Ethene
The conditions required for this to happen are as follow:
Temperature - about 60°C
Pressure - a few
atmospheres
Catalyst - Ziegler-Natta catalysts or other metal compounds
15.5 Uses of Hydrocarbons
Sources of hydrocarbons

1) Crude oil is the main source of hydrocarbons, it is found trapped in layers

beneath the surface of the earth. Crude oil is a complex mixture of
hydrocarbons - alkanes, cycloalkanes and aromatic
compounds. [ Note: Aromatic compounds are compounds which have a
benzene ring attached to it ]

2) These substances can be separated by a technique called fractional

distillation. Fractional distillation is the separation of compounds by their boiling
points.

3) Different hydrocarbons have different molar masses, and so they have different
boiling points.

4) Crude oil enters the bottom of the fractionating column as liquid and vapour.
The liquids(less volatile hydrocarbons) are drawn off at the bottom while less
volatile ones rise up the column. They condense at different levels as the
temperature gradually falls and are collected as liquids.

5) The most volatile short-chain hydrocarbons, which are methane and butane,
leave the top as gases.
Catalytic cracking

1) After the hydrocarbons are separated, oil companies found that hydrocarbons
from lighter fractions(such as gasoline) are in higher demand compared to the
ones from heavier fractions.

2) Therefore something must be done to convert those heavier hydrocarbons into the
more useful, lighter ones. This is done by cracking.

3) Cracking breaks less useful hydrocarbons(normally long-chain) into smaller and more
useful ones. Alkenes are normally produced as they are more industrially useful.
This is because starting from alkenes, a wide range of organic compounds can
be produced.

4) The larger hydrocarbons are fed into a chamber which contains no oxygen, so
combustion does not take place. The larger hydrocarbons are heated at high
temperature(about 500 °C) and passed over zeolite catalyst.

5) Cracking of a hydrocarbon is not unique, different molecules of hydrocarbons can

be broken in different ways, giving rise to different products. One possible reaction
of involving C15H32 is as follow:

Environmental consequences of using hydrocarbons

1) Alkanes are often used as fuels. This is because the combustion of alkanes is an
exothermic process and produces a lot heat energy. Alkanes are also readily
available and relatively cheap. The main uses of alkanes as fuels are:
 - To generate electricity.
- To heat domestic houses and cook foods.
- To provide energy needed in industrial processes.
- To provide power for ships, aeroplanes, trains, lorries, buses, cars and
motorbikes.

2) However, the combustion of alkanes can produce some poisonous gases which can act
as pollutants.

3) One such example is carbon monoxide, CO which arises from the incomplete
combustion of alkane. Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that will bind readily to the
haemoglobin molecules in the blood. This causes oxygen cannot be transported to
cells and the victim will die.

4) The carbon dioxide, CO2 produced from the complete combustion of alkane
can also act as a greenhouse gas. The increasing amount of these greenhouse
gases enhances global warming.

5) Burning fuels in car engines will also oxidise the nitrogen gas in air to produce
oxides of nitrogen(nitrogen monoxide, NO or nitrogen dioxide,
NO2). These oxides of nitrogen is believed to contribute in the formation of
acid rain. (For more details, refer Chapter 13)

6) Catalytic converters can be installed to remove carbon monoxide and the oxides of
nitrogen. More details about catalytic converters can be found in
Chapter 13.
CHAPTER 16: Halogen Derivatives
16.1 Introduction to Halogenoalkanes
16.2 Reactions of Halogenoalkanes
16.3 Uses of Halogenoalkanes

Learning outcomes:

(a) recall the chemistry of halogenoalkanes as exemplified by

(i) the following nucleophilic substitution reactions of bromoethane: hydrolysis, formation
of nitriles, formation of primary amines by reaction with ammonia.
(ii) the elimination of hydrogen bromide from 2-bromopropane.
(b) describe the mechanism of nucleophilic substitution (by both SN1 and SN2 mechanisms) in
halogenoalkanes.
(c) interpret the different reactivities of halogenoalkanes(with particular reference to hydrolysis
and to the relative strengths of the C-Hal bonds).
(d) explain the uses of fluoroalkanes and fluorohalogenoalkanes in terms of their relative
chemical inertness.
(e) recognise the concern about the effect of chlorofluoroalkanes on the ozone layer.
16.1 Introduction to Halogenoalkaes
What are halogenoalkanes?

1) Halogenoalkanes(or alkyl halides) are compounds in which one or more

hydrogen atoms in an alkane have been replaced by halogen atoms (fluorine,
chlorine, bromine or iodine).

2) Halogenoalkanes can be classified as primary, secondary or tertiary

depending on the number of alkyl groups(R groups) attached to the carbon
atom holding the halogen atom.

3) Some examples of halogenoalkanes:

Chloropropane, 2-bromopropane, 1,2-diiodoethane, ICH₂CH₂I

CH₃CH₂CH₂C CH₃CHBrCH₃
l

Physical properties of halogenoalkanes

1)i. Boiling point of the halogenoalkanes

increases as the molecular size
increases. This is because there are
more electrons in larger
molecules and more temporary
dipoles can be set up, resulting in
stronger van der Waal's forces.
ii. Primary halogenoalkanes have higher boiling point compared to secondary and
tertiary halogenoalkanes of the same molecular weight. This is because the
surface area of primary halogenoalkanes is higher, more temporary
dipoles can be set up, resulting in stronger van der Waal's forces.
2)i. Halogenoalkanes are insoluble in water but soluble in
organic solvents.
ii. This is because when dissolved in water(polar solvents), the energy
needed to break the hydrogen bonds between water molecules is too high. The
energy released when halogenoalkane-water attraction is set up is not
enough to compensate it. This makes the structure to gain energy overall,
making it less stable.
iii. While when it is dissolved in organic solvents, the halogenoalkane-
solvent attraction is strong enough to compensate the energy needed to break
the weak van der Waal's forces between organic molecules.

16.2 Reactions of Halogenoalkanes

Chemical reactivity of halgenoalkanes

1) Fluoroalkanes are the least reactive while

iodoalkanes are the most reactive. This is because
the carbon-halogen bond strength decreases from fluorine
to iodine as the size of the halogen atoms increases.

2) Since reactions of halogenoalkanes involve the breaking of the carbon-halogen

bond, it follows that carbon-iodine bonds are the easiest to break, making them
the easiest to react.

Nucleophilic substitution

1) The signature reaction of halogenoalkanes is nucleophilic substitution.

Nucleophilic substitution is the substitution of an atom by a nucleophile.

2) A nucleophile is a species(an ion or a molecule) which is strongly attracted to

a region of positive charge in something else. It normally carries either a
partial or fully negative charge on the molecule. Some example of
nucleophiles are shown below:
3) Nucleophilic substitution is possible due to polarity of the carbon-
halogen bond. Halogens are more electronegative than carbon, therefore the
electron pair in the carbon-halogen bond will be attracted towards the
halogen end, leaving the halogen slightly negative and the carbon slightly
positive.

4) Since nucleophiles are negative, it is attracted to the positive carbon and

this initiates the substitution to occur.

5) For carbon-iodine bond, although there is no polarity, it is still possible

because the nucleophile can induce a dipole in the bond due to the
electrons repelling each other.

6) Nucleophilic substitution is done via two mechanisms, the SN1 or SN2

mechanism.
-Primary halogenoalkanes will use SN2.
-Tertiary halogenoalkans will use SN1.
-Secondary halogenoalkanes will use both.

The SN2 mechanism

1) In SN2 mechanism, the 'S' stands for substitution, the 'N' stands for
nucleophilic and the '2' stands for the initial step(rate-determining
step) involves two species(the halogenoalkane and the nucleophile).

2) The general mechanism of an SN2 reaction, using bromoethane, CH3CH2Br

as a typical primary halogenoalkane and Nu⁻ as a general nucleophile:
i. The carbon-bromine bond in bromoethane is polarised
due to the electronegativity difference between the two atoms.
Carbon carries a partial positive charge while bromine carries a
partial negative charge.
ii. The nucleophile, Nu⁻ is attracted towards the positive
carbon, beginning to form a co-ordinate bond with it. Meanwhile, the
negative bromine atom is repelled further due to the approaching
nucleophile.
iii. Eventually, there is a state, called the transition state where the
carbon- bromine bond is just at the point of breaking and the carbon-
nucleophile bond is just at the point of forming. The transition state has
five groups attached to the central carbon atom.
iii. The movement goes on until the Nu⁻ is firmly attached to the carbon, and the
bromine has been expelled as a Br⁻ ion. The nucleophile has substituted the
bromine.
3) In the examination, the mechanism can be written like this:

....or a more simplified version:

4) Note:
i. When the nucleophile approaches the halogenoalkane, it
approaches from the opposite side of bromine because the negative
bromine hinders the attack from its side.
ii. It is crucial to get the orientation of the atoms right, the molecule
has been inverted at the end of the reaction. This is called the
inversion of configuration(product has a configuration opposite to the
reactant).

5) It is unlikely for tertiary halogenoalkanes to react by SN2 mechanism. This is

because SN2 mechanism involves the nucleophile approaching and forming
bond from the opposite side of the halogen. In the case of tertiary
halogenoalkane, it is unlikely because the opposite of the halogen is cluttered
with CH3 group(s).
The SN1 mechanism

1) In SN1 mechanism, the '1' stands for the initial step(rate-determining

step) involves one species only(the halogenoalkane). The overall rate of
reaction is governed by the rate of the first step.

2) The general mechanism of an SN2 reaction, using 2-bromo-2-

methylpropane, (CH3)3Br as a typical tertiary halogenoalkane and Nu⁻ as a
general nucleophile:
i. The reaction happens in two stages. In the first stage, a small
proportion of the halogenoalkane ionises to give a carbocation and a
bromide ion.

ii. Once the carbocation is formed, it will react immediately when it

comes into contact with a nucleophile, Nu⁻. The lone pair of the nucleophile
is strongly attracted towards the positive carbon, and moves towards it
to create a new bond.

3) Tertiary halogenoalkanes react via SN1 because the tertiary

carbocation intermediate formed is relatively stable. If primary
halogenoalkanes were to react in the same manner, the primary carbocation
formed would be relatively unstable, resulting in high activation energy of
the reaction.

4) Secondary halogenoalkanes can react using both SN1 and SN2 mechanisms
because:
i. The opposite of the halogen is not cluttered by CH3 group(s).
ii. The secondary carbocation formed is more stable than primary
carbocation.

Summary of reactions that halogenoalkanes undergo

1) i. Substitution with hydroxide ions, OH⁻.

ii. Substitution with cyanide ions, CN⁻.
iii. Substitution with ammonia, NH3.
iv. Elimination
Substitution with hydroxide ions, OH⁻ (Hydrolysis)

1) Reagent : Aqueous sodium hydroxide,

NaOH or water Condition : Heat under reflux
Product : Alcohols

2) When aqueous sodium hydroxide, NaOH is heated with bromoethane

under reflux, the bromine is substituted by hydroxide ion, OH. Ethanol is
produced.
CH3CH2Br + NaOH → CH3CH2OH + NaBr
...or the ionic equation:
CH3CH2Br + OH⁻ → CH3CH2OH + Br⁻

3) Heating under reflux means heating with a condenser placed vertically in

the flask to prevent loss of volatile substances from the mixture.

4) The mechanism of this reaction is the same as the ones mentioned before
for primary halogenoalkanes, the nucleophile here is hydroxide ion, OH⁻.

5) Water can also be used as the nucleophile in this reaction. However,

hydrolysis using water occurs much slower. This is because the negatively-
charged OH⁻ is a more effective nucleophile than water. The mechanism is as
shown:

6) For a particular alkyl group R, the rate of hydrolysis decreases in the

order:
...as the strength of carbon-halogen increases progressively from iodine to
fluorine. In fact, the carbon-fluorine bond is so strong that fluoroalkanes do not
undergo hydrolysis.
Substitution with cyanide ions, CN⁻

1) Reagent : Potassium cyanide, KCN in

ethanol Condition : Heat under reflux
Product : Nitriles

2) When ethanolic potassium cyanide, KCN is heated with 2-bromo-

2- methylpentane under reflux, the bromine is substituted by cyanide ion,
CN⁻. 2-methyl-2-propanenitrile is produced.
(CH3)3Br + KCN → (CH3)3CN + KBr
...or the ionic equation:
(CH3)3Br + CN⁻ → (CH3)3CN + Br⁻
3) The mechanism of this reaction is the same as the ones mentioned before
for tertiary halogenoalkanes, the nucleophile here is cyanide ion, CN⁻.

Step 1: Ionisation of the

halogenoalkane

Step 2: Rapid attack by CN⁻

4) This is a very useful reaction in organic synthesis.

i. It serves as a means of increasing the length of carbon chain(a
step-up reation).
ii. The nitrile produced can be converted to carboxylic acid by heating
under
reflux with acid or alkali(hydrolysis reaction)
(CH3)3CN + 2H2O + H⁺ → (CH3)3COOH + NH4⁺ ; acidic hydrolysis
(CH3)3CN + H2O + OH⁻ → (CH3)3COO⁻ + NH3 ; alkaline hydrolysis

Substitution with ammonia, NH3

1) Reagent : Excess ammonia, NH3

in ethanol Condition : Heat in sealed tube
Product : Amines

2) When ethanolic ammonia, NH3 is heated with bromoethane in a sealed tube,

the bromine is substituted by amine group, -NH2. The reaction occurs in two
stages. In the first stage, a salt is, ethylammonium bromide is formed.
CH3CH2Br + NH3 → CH3CH2NH3⁺Br⁻
 ...In the second stage, a reversible reaction occurs between this salt and the
excess ammonia. Ethylamine, a primary amine is formed.
CH3CH2NH3⁺Br⁻ + NH3 ⇌ CH3CH2NH2 + NH4Br

3) The mechanism of the reaction is shown below, ammonia is behaving

as a nucleophile.

4) If the ammonia used is not in excess, a complicated mixture containing

secondary and tertiary amine is obtained. This is because ethylamine is a good
nucleophile and it can attack the unreacted bromoethane.

Elimination

1) Reagent : Sodium hydroxide, NaOH

in ethanol Condition : Heat under reflux
Product : Alkenes

2) In this alcoholic condition, the hydroxide ion, OH⁻ acts as a base rather
than a nucleophile. Hence it will accept a proton(hydrogen ion) from the carbon
atom next door to the one holding the bromine. The resulting re-arrangement
of the electrons expels the bromine as a bromide ion and produces

ethene.
3) The mechanism of the reaction is shown below:

2 2

4) In unsymmetrical halogenoalkanes, a mixture of products of different

isomers is produced due to the choice of hydrogen being removed.
16.3 Uses of Halogenoalkanes
The use of CFCs

1) CFCs are chlorofluorocarbons, compounds containing carbon with chlorine

and fluorine atoms attached. Two common CFCs are CFC-11(CCl3F) and
CFC-12(CCl2F2).

2) Some properties and uses of CFCs:

CFCs and the environment

1) CFCs have many uses in our daily life. However, due to their stability
and inertness, they are also large responsible for the destruction of the
ozone layer. Ozone layer prevents harmful ultraviolet radiation from reaching
us.

2) Destruction of the ozone layer involves the conversion of ozone

molecule, O3 to oxygen molecule, O2. The detailed mechanism is as shown

below:
3) Possible solutions to protect the ozone layer:
i. Reduce the use of CFCs. For example, replace aerosol spray with
manual pump spray.
ii. Collect and recycle CFCs for future use.
iii. Find alternatives for CFCs.

4) Possible alternatives for CFCs:

i. Use HCFCs(CFCs with at least one hydrogen atom, for example,
CF3CHCl2)
- HCFCs have smaller effect on ozone depletion because they are
more readily destroyed in the troposphere.
- However, a disadvantage of using it is, it is flammable. Also, it
could potentially form toxic chemicals in the troposphere.
ii. Use LPG(liquid petroleum gas) as propellant in aerosol sprays.
iii. Use air-blowing agent in packaging and building industries.
iv. Use water-based cleaning system in electronic industries.
CHAPTER 17: Hydroxy Compounds
17.1 Introduction to Alcohols
17.2 Reactions of Alcohols

Learning outcomes:

(a) recall the chemistry of alcohols, exemplified by ethanol:

(i) combustion.
(ii) substitution to give halogenoalkanes.
(iii) reaction with sodium.
(iv) oxidation to carbonyl compounds and carboxylic acids.
(v) dehydration to alkenes.
(vi) formation of esters by esterification with carboxylic acids.
(b) (i) classify hydroxy compounds into primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols.
(ii) suggest characteristic distinguishing reactions, e.g. mild oxidation.
17.1 Introduction to Alcohols
What are alcohols?

1) Alcohols are compounds in which one or more hydrogen atoms in an

alkane have been replaced by an -OH group.

2) Alcohols can be classified as primary, secondary or tertiary depending

on the number of alkyl groups(R groups) attached to the carbon atom holding
the
-OH group.

3) Some examples of alcohols:

Physical properties of alcohols

1) i. Alcohols are soluble in water because they can form

hydrogen bonds with water molecules.
ii. However, the solubility decreases as the number of carbon
atoms increases. This is because the presence of
long hydrocarbon tail disrupts the effectiveness of hydrogen bonding.

2)i. Alcohols have higher boiling points than

the alkanes with similar Mr due to the presence
of intermolecular hydrogen bonding in
addition of van der Waals' forces of attraction.
ii. The boiling point increases as the number of
carbon atoms increases. This is because there
are more electrons, hence more temporary
dipoles can be set up. More energy is required
to overcome these forces.
17.2 Reactions of Alcohols
Summary

1) Summary of reactions that alcohols undergo:

i. Combustion.
ii. Dehydration to give alkenes.
iii. Reaction with sodium.
iv. Substitution to give halogenoalkanes.
iv. Oxidation.
v. Esterification.

Combustion

1) Reagent :
Oxygen supply Condition :
Heat
Product : Carbon dioxide(and carbon monoxide) and water

2) Alcohols undergo complete combustion under excess oxygen to give carbon

dioxide and water. Example:
C2H5OH + 3O2 → 2CO2 + 3H2O

3) When oxygen is limited, carbon monoxide and carbon soot might be formed.

Dehydration

1) Reagent/ : Excess concentrated sulfuric

acid, H2SO4 or hot Catalyst aluminium oxide,
Al2O3
Condition : Heat at about 170 °C
Product : Alkenes

2) When ethanol is heated with concentrated sulfuric acid, the alcohol is

dehydrated, a water molecule is removed from the alcohol. Ethene is produced.

3) During dehydration, the -OH group gets removed together

with a hydrogen atom from the next-door carbon atom.
4)i. Alternatively, dehydration can be
carried out by passing ethene through
hot aluminium oxide. The ethene gas
produced is collected over water.
ii. At the end of the reaction, the apparatus
is left to cool with the delivery tube out of
water. This is done so that the cold water would not be sucked back into the
hot delivery tube, cracking it eventually.

5) For more complicated alcohols, be careful of the possibility of more than one
product being formed and also the possibility of geometric isomers in
the alkenes. This is due to a different hydrogen being removed from the
alcohol. An example is butan-2-ol.

Reaction with sodium metal, Na

1) Reagent : Sodium
metal, Na Condition : Room
temperature
Product : Alkoxides and hydrogen gas

2) Acids react with metals to produce hydrogen gas and a salt. Alcohols are
very weak acids, so they undergo this reaction as well.

3) When sodium metal is added to ethanol, the sodium metal sinks and bubbles
of hydrogen gas are released. The salt formed is sodium ethoxide, a white solid.
2CH3CH2OH + 2Na → 2CH3H2O⁻Na⁺ + H2

4) This reaction can be used as a test for hydroxy, -OH group.

Bubbles of hydrogen gas is released if a hydroxy group is
present.

5) Remember, in order to produce a hydrogen gas molecule, H2, two

hydrogens from two molecules of alcohols must be used.
Substitution to give halogenoalkanes

1) The -OH group of the alcohol can be substituted by a halogen to

produce a halogenoalkane. The halogen can be obtained from three sources:
i. Hydrogen halide, HX ; where X = Cl/Br/I
ii. Phosphorus halide, PCl5 or PBr3 or PI3
iii. Thionyl chloride(or sulfur dichloride oxide), SOCl2

2) With hydrogen halide, HX:

i. The alcohol is refluxed with sodium halide, NaX and concentrated
sulfuric acid, H2SO4 to produce the hydrogen halide, HX.
NaX + H2SO4 → HX + NaHSO4 ; where X = Cl/Br
For iodine, phosphoric(V) acid, H3PO4 is used instead of sulfuric acid.
ii. The hydrogen halide, HX is the reacted with the alcohol. Take ethanol
as an
example:
CH3CH2OH + HX → CH3CH2X + H2O ; where X = Cl/Br/I

3) With phosphorus halide, PCl5/PCl3/PBr3/PI3:

i. Alcohols react with phosphorus(V) chloride, to produce a
halogenoalkane, white fumes of hydrogen chloride gas is also observed.
Take ethanol as an example:
CH3CH2OH + PCl5 → CH3CH2Cl + POCl3 + HCl
ii. This can be used as a test for the hydroxy, -OH group. White
fumes of hydrogen chloride gas is observed if hydroxy group is
present.
iii. For phosphorus(III) halides, a halogenoalkane is also
obtained. The phosphorus halides are prepared in situ by mixing red
phosphorus and the halogen.
3CH3CH2OH + PX3 → 3CH3CH2X + H3PO4 ; where X = Cl/Br/I

4) With thionyl chloride, SOCl2:

i. Alcohols react with thionyl chloride to produce a halogenoalkane.
Sulfur dioxide and hydrogen chloride are are given off as well.
CH3CH2OH + SOCl2 → CH3CH2X + SO2 + HCl ; where X = Cl/Br/I
ii. This reaction is useful in obtaining pure halogenoalkane. This is
because the other two products are gases, and they can be separated from the
mixture easily.
Oxidation

1) Reagent : Acidified potassium dichromate(VI), K2Cr2O7 or

acidified potassium manganate(VI), KMnO4
Condition : Heat under reflux
Product : Primary alcohol - Aldehydes and carboxylic
acids Secondary alcohol - Ketones
Tertiary alcohol - Will not be oxidised

2) Different class of alcohols(primary, secondary or tertiary) will behave differently

during oxidation. Therefore, it is a very useful test to distinguish them.

3)i. For primary alcohols, if the alcohol used is in excess and the
product formed is distilled off as soon as possible, aldehydes are
formed. Take ethanol as an example, ethanal is formed.
CH3CH2OH + [O] → CH3CHO + H2O

ii. If the alcohol used is limited and heated under reflux, the primary
alcohol will be oxidised to aldehyde then to carboxylic acid. Take ethanol
as an example, from the aldehyde formed, ethanoic acid is formed.
CH3CHO + [O] → CH3COOH

...or the full equation from ethanol to ethanoic acid:

CH3CH2OH + 2[O] → CH3COOH + H2O

4) For secondary alcohols, the secondary alcohol will be oxidised

to a ketone. Take propan-2-ol as an example, propanone is formed.
CH3CH(OH)CH3 + [O] → CH3COCH3 + H2O

5) For tertiary alcohols, they will not be oxidised. This is because there is
no hydrogen atom from the carbon atom holding the -OH group can be
removed.
6) For observation:
i. If K2Cr2O7 is used as oxidising agent: colour of solution changes from
orange to green.
ii. If KMnO4 is used as oxidising agent : colour of solution changes from
purple to colourless.

7) Summary:

Esterification

1) Reagent : Carboxylic acid

Conditions : Heat under reflux with concentrated sulfuric acid, H2SO4
as catalyst
Product : Esters

2) Esters are derivatives of carboxylic acids. In an ester, the hydrogen from the
-COOH group of carboxylic acid is replaced by an alkyl group. The alkyl
group came from the alcohol. Some common esters and their naming:

4) Note that the name of an ester is 'alcohol + carboxylic acid'.

5) For example, to make methyl butanoate, methanol and butanoic acid are
used. Both of them are heated under reflux with the presence of catalyst.
Esters can be detected from a sweet-smelling odour.
CH3OH + CH3CH2CH2COOH ⇌ CH3CH2CH2COOCH3 + H2O

Methanol + butanoic acid

+ conc. sulfuric acid

Note:
1) To find out more about aldehydes and ketones, refer Chapter 18.
2) To find out more about carboxylic acids and esters, refer Chapter 19.
CHAPTER 18: Carbonyl Compounds
18.1 Introduction to Aldehydes and Ketones
18.2 Reactions Aldehydes and Ketones
18.3 Tests for Aldehydes and Ketones

Learning outcomes:

(a) describe:
(i) the formation of aldehydes and ketones from primary and secondary alcohols
respectively using Cr2O7²⁻/H⁺.
(ii) the reduction of aldehydes and ketones, e.g. using NaBH4 or LiAlH4.
(iii) the reaction of aldehydes and ketones with HCN and NaCN.
(b) describe the mechanism of the nucleophilic addition reactions of hydrogen cyanide
with aldehydes and ketones.
(c) describe the use of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (2,4-DNPH) reagent to detect the presence
of carbonyl compounds.
(d) deduce the nature (aldehyde or ketone) of an unknown carbonyl compound from the results
of simple tests (i.e. Fehling’s and Tollens’ reagents; ease of oxidation).
18.1 Introduction to Aldehydes and Ketones
What are carbonyl compounds?

1) Carbonyl compounds are compounds that contain the C=O(carbonyl) group.

Examples are aldehydes and ketones.

Physical properties of carbonyl compounds

1)i. The boiling point of carbonyl compounds is higher than the alkanes
with similar Mr.
ii. The boiling point increases with increasing number of carbon atom. This is
because there are more electrons, hence more temporary dipoles can be
set up. More energy is required to overcome these forces.
ii. Besides temporary dipoles, permanent dipole-dipole
forces are also present due to carbonyl compounds being
polar.
iii. Methanal and ethanal are gases at room temperature, while others are
liquids.

2)i. Carbonyl compounds are soluble in water. This is because they are able
to form hydrogen bond with water molecules.

ii. The solubility decreases with increasing number of carbon atoms. This is
because the long hydrocarbon chain disrupts the hydrogen bonding.
Preparation of aldehydes and ketones

1) Aldehydes and ketones can be made by oxidising primary and

secondary alcohol respectively. The oxidising agent used is either acidified
potassium dichromate(VI), K2Cr2O7 or acidified potassium manganate(VII),
KMnO4.

2) To make an aldehyde:
i. The primary alcohol used must be in
excess and heated under reflux with
acidified K2Cr2O7/KMnO4. The aldehyde
formed must be distilled off as soon as
possible.
ii. Under these conditions, a primary alcohol
is oxidised to an aldehyde. Take ethanol as an
example, ethanal is produced.
CH3CH2OH + [O] → CH3CHO + H2O

3) To make a ketone:
i. The secondary alcohol is heated under reflux with
acidified K2Cr2O7/KMnO4.
ii. Under these conditions, a secondary alcohol is oxidised to a ketone.
Take
propan-2-ol an an example:
CH3CH(OH)CH3 + [O] → CH3COCH3 + H2O
18.2 Reactions of Aldehydes and Ketones
Reactivity of carbonyl compounds

1) The C=O bond of the carbonyl group is highly polarised due

to oxygen atom being more electronegative.

2) This causes the slightly positive carbon atom to be susceptible to

nucleophilic attacks. Nucleophiles are something that carries a negative
charge.

3) Therefore, carbonyl compounds will undergo nucleophilic addition.

4) Summary of reactions carbonyl compounds undergo:

i. Reduction.
ii. Oxidation.
iii. Reaction with hydrogen

cyanide, HCN. Reduction

1) Reagent : Lithium tetrahydridoaluminate, LiAlH4

or sodium tetrahydridoborate, NaBH4
Condition : For LiAlH4 - in dry ether
For NaBH4 - in aqueous alcoholic
solution Product : Aldehyde - primary alcohol
Ketone - secondary alcohol

2) LiAlH4 and NaBH4 are acting as reducing agents as well as providing

the nucleophile, H⁻. This is a redox reaction as well as a nucleophilic
addition reaction.

3) For aldehydes, primary alcohols are formed upon reduction. Take ethanal
as an example:
4) For ketones, secondary alcohols are formed upon reduction.
Take propanone as an example:

5) Note:
i. Due to the reactivity of LiAlH4, it cannot be used in the presence of
water or alcohol. It must be carried out in solution in a carefully dried ether
such as ethoxyethane(diethyl ether).

Oxidation

1) Reagent : Acidified potassium dichromate(VI), K2Cr2O7 or

acidified potassium manganate(VI), KMnO4
Condition : Heat under reflux
Product : Aldehyde - Carboxylic acid
Ketone - Will not be oxidised.

2) Aldehydes will be oxidised to carboxylic acids. Take ethanal as an example:

3) Ketones will not be oxidised by acidified K2Cr2O7 or KMnO4. The

only exception is phenylethanone.

Reaction with hydrogen cyanide, HCN

1) Reagent : Sodium/potassium cyanide, NaCN and a

little sulfuric acid, H2SO4
Condition : Room temperature
Product : Hydroxynitriles
2) Hydrogen cyanide is not used alone because it is a poisonous gas. Instead, it is
produced from the reaction between sodium/potassium cyanide and sulfuric
acid. The solution will contain hydrogen cyanide and some free cyanide ions.

3) For both aldehydes and ketones, hydroxynitriles are produced.

i. For aldehydes, take ethanal as an example, 2-
hydroxypropanenitrile is produced.

ii. For ketones, take propanone as an example, 2-hydroxy-2-

methylpropanenitrile is produced.

4) The mechanism of this reaction - nucleophilic addition:

i. The electron-deficient carbon atom is attacked by the nucleophile, CN⁻.

ii. The negative ion formed then picks up a hydrogen ion from
hydrogen cyanide, or from the water

5) Such a reaction will produce a mixture of different isomers. This is because

carbonyl compounds are planar and the cyanide ion has equal chance of
attacking from above or below the plane of the molecule.
18.3 Tests for Aldehydes and Ketones
Test for carbonyl group using 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine(2,4-DNPH)

1) 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine or 2,4-DNPH can be used to detect the

presence of carbonyl group, C=O. The structure of 2,4-DNPH is shown

below:
2) This test is usually carried out using Brady's reagent, that
is, a solution of the 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine in methanol
and sulfuric acid.

3) When a little aldehyde or ketone is added to the Brady's reagent, an

orange-yellow precipitate is formed.

4) A condensation reaction occurs when a carbonyl compound is added

to 2,4-DNPH. During this reaction, a water molecule is lost. The final
compound is seen as orange-yellow precipitate.

Test for aldehydes using Tollens' reagent(silver mirror test)

1) Tollens' reagent contains diamminesilver(I) ions, [Ag(NH3)2]⁺.

Aldehydes will reduce the diamminesilver(I) ions to metallic silver, aldehyde
itself is oxidised to a salt of carboxylic acid.

2) Since ketones will not be oxidised, it will not reduce it to metallic silver.
3) Therefore, when a few drops of aldehyde is added to the
freshly prepared Tollens' reagent, and warmed in a water bath
for a few minutes, a grey precipitate or a silver mirror is
observed only if aldehyde is present.

4) Take ethanal as an example, the equation is:

5) The details on the preparation of Tollens' reagent are as

shown below.

Test for aldehydes using Fehling's solution

1) Fehling's solution contains copper(II) ions complexed with tartrate

ions in sodium hydroxide solution. Complexing the copper(II) ions with tartrate
ions prevents precipitation of copper(II) hydroxide. It is a blue solution.

2) Only aldehydes will reduce the complexed

copper(II) ion to copper(I) oxide. Because the
solution is alkaline, the aldehyde itself is oxidised to
a salt of the corresponding carboxylic acid.
3) When a few drops of the aldehyde is added to the reagent, and the mixture
is warmed gently in a hot water bath for a few minutes, a red precipitate is
observed only if aldehydes present.

4) Take ethanal as an example, the equation is:

Summary
CHAPTER 19: Carboxylic Acids and
Derivatives I
19.1 Carboxylic Acids
19.2 Reactions of Carboxylic Acids
19.3 Esters

Learning outcomes:

(a) describe the formation of carboxylic acids from alcohols, aldehydes and nitriles.
(b) describe the reactions of carboxylic acids in the formation of:
(i) salts, by the use of reactive metals, alkalis or carbonates.
(ii) esters.
(iii) acyl chlorides.
(c) describe the formation of esters from carboxylic acids, using ethyl ethanoate as an
example.
(d) describe the acid and base hydrolysis of esters.
(e) state the major commercial uses of esters, e.g. solvents, perfumes, flavourings.
19.1 Carboxylic Acids
Introduction to carboxylic acids

1) Carboxylic acids are compounds that contain the -COOH group.

2) Examples of carboxylic acids:

3) Salts of carboxylic acids are called carboxylate salts. The formation of

carboxylate salts shows that carboxylic acids are acidic. A carboxylate salt
is formed upon the removal of H⁺ from -COOH group, leaving -COO⁻.

Physical properties of carboxylic acids

1) Carboxylic acids have higher melting and boiling points than

the corresponding alcohols.
i. This is because in a pure carboxylic
acid, hydrogen bonding can occur
between two molecules of acid to produce a
dimer.
ii. This doubles the size of the
molecule, making the van der Waals'
forces stronger.
iii. Hence more energy is required to overcome these forces of
attraction.

2) Small carboxylic acids are soluble in water.

i. This is because carboxylic acid is capable of
forming hydrogen bond with water molecule.
ii. However, the solubility decreases as the number
of carbon atoms increases. This is because the presence of
long hydrocarbon tail disrupts the effectiveness of
hydrogen bonding.
Preparation of carboxylic acids

1) There are three ways to produce carboxylic acids:

i. Oxidation of primary alcohol.
ii. Oxidation of aldehyde.
iii. Acidic/alkaline hydrolysis of nitrile.

2) For oxidation of primary alcohol and aldehyde, refer back previous chapters.

3) Acidic hydrolysis of nitrile:

i. When nitrile is heated under reflux with a dilute acid such as
dilute hydrochloric acid, carboxylic acid will be formed.
ii. Using ethanenitrile as an example, ethanoic
acid is formed. CH3CN + 2H2O + H⁺ →
CH3COOH + NH4⁺

4) Alkaline hydrolysis of nitrile:

i. When nitrile is heated under reflux with an alkali such as
sodium hydroxide, salt of carboxylic acid(carboxylate salt) is
produced. Using ethanenitrile as an example, ethanoate ion is formed.
CH3CN + 2H2O + OH⁻ → CH3COO⁻ + NH3
ii. Ethanoate ion can be converted to ethanoic acid by the
addition of acid. CH3COO⁻ + H⁺ → CH3COOH

19.2 Reactions of Carboxylic Acids

Acidity of carboxylic acids

1) Carboxylic acids are acidic because they can donate a proton to

form carboxylate ion and hydroxonium ion. The presence of hydroxonium
ions makes the solution acidic.
RCOOH + H2O ⇌ RCOO⁻ + H3O⁺

2) However, carboxylic acids are only weak acids. For instance ethanoic
acid has a pH of about 2-3.
Reaction with bases

1) Since carboxylic acids are acids, they will react with a base such as
sodium hydroxide to produce a carboxylate salt and water. This is a
simple neutralisation reaction.

2) Take ethanoic acid and sodium hydroxide as an

example: CH3COOH + NaOH →
CH3COONa + H2O
...and the ionic equation is:
H⁺ + OH⁻ → H2O

Reaction with metals

1) Carboxylic acids will react with reactive metals such as

sodium to produce a carboxylate salt and hydrogen gas.

2) Take ethanoic acid and sodium metal as an example:

2CH3COOH + 2Na → 2CH3COONa + H2

Reaction with carbonates and hydrogencarbonates

1) Carboxylic acids will react with carbonates and

hydrogencarbonates to produce a carboxylate salt, carbon dioxide gas
and water.

2) Take ethanoic acid and sodium carbonate as an

example: 2CH3COOH + Na2CO3 → 2CH3COONa +
CO2 + H2O
...and the ionic equation is:
2H⁺ + CO3²⁻ → CO2 + H2O

3) Take ethanoic acid and sodium hydrogencarbonate as an

example: CH3COOH + NaHCO3 → CH3COONa + CO2 +
H 2O
...and the ionic equation is:
H⁺ + HCO3⁻ → CO2 + H2O

4) This is a useful test to distinguish carboxylic acids from

alcohols and phenols. This is because alcohols and phenols are not acidic
enough to react with these.
Converting carboxylic acids to acyl chlorides

1) Acyl chlorides have the -OH in the -COOH group of the carboxylic
acid replaced by chlorine.

2) Take ethanoic acid as an example, ethanoyl chloride is produced.

3) Acyl chlorides are very reactive and can be used to produce a range of
other organic compounds.

4) There are three methods to produce acyl chlorides from carboxylic

acids:
i. Reaction with phosphor us(III) chloride, PCl3.
- Take ethanoic acid as an example, the
equation is: 3CH3COOH + PCl3 →
3CH3COCl + H3PO4
ii. Reaction with phosphor us(V) chloride, PCl5.
- Take ethanoic acid as an example, the equation is:
CH3COOH + PCl5 → CH3COCl + POCl3 + HCl

iii. Reaction with thionyl chloride, SOCl2.

- Take ethanoic acid as an example, the equation
is: CH3COOH + SOCl2 → CH3COCl + SO2 +

HCl
- This method is generally preferred because SO2 and HCl are both
gases, and can be separated from the mixture easily.
19.3 Esters
Introduction to esters

1) Esters are derivatives of carboxylic acids. In an ester, the hydrogen from the
-COOH group of carboxylic acid is replaced by an alkyl group. The alkyl
group came from the alcohol/phenol. Some common esters and their naming:

2) Note that the name of an ester is 'alcohol + carboxylic acid'.

3) Physical properties of esters:

i. Esters have lower melting and boiling points than carboxylic
acids. This is because they are not capable of forming intermolecular
hydrogen bonding.
ii. Esters are insoluble in water and often identified by their
strong fruity
smell.

4) Unlike carboxylic acids, esters are neutral. This is because they

cannot donate or accept a proton.

Preparation of esters

1) Esters can be prepared from the reaction between alcohol and

carboxylic acid(AS).

2) Between alcohol and carboxylic acid:

i. To prepare an ester from carboxylic acid and alcohol, both them are
heated under reflux in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid as catalyst.
Esters can be detected from a sweet-smelling odour. The general

equation:
 ii. For example, to make methyl butanoate, methanol and butanoic
acid are used.
CH3OH + CH3CH2CH2COOH ⇌ CH3CH2CH2COOCH3 + H2O

ii. This reaction cannot be used to produce esters when the -OH group is attached
to a benzene ring, also known as phenol. In other words, carboxylic acid
cannot react with phenol to produce ester.

Hydrolysis of esters

1) Acidic hydrolysis of esters:

i. When ester is heated under reflux with a dilute acid such as
dilute hydrochloric acid, the corresponding carboxylic acid and
alcohol will be formed.
ii. Using methyl propanoate as an example, propanoic acid and
methanol is formed.

iii. This is just the reverse process of esterification.

2) Alkaline hydrolysis of esters:

i. When ester is heated under reflux with a base such as sodium
hydroxide solution, the corresponding carboxylate salt and
alcohol will be formed.
ii. Using methyl propanoate as example, sodium propanoate and
methanol is formed.

iii. The sodium propanoate can be converted to propanoic acid by adding

dilute acid.
Uses of esters

1) As solvents:
i. Small esters such as methyl ethanoate, ethyl ethanoate and butyl
ethanoate are very widely used as solvents.

2) As perfumes and flavourings:

i. The smell and taste of fruits such as oranges, apples, pears,
raspberries, strawberries, and so on, are due to naturally occurring esters.
Many foods will have those same esters added to them to simulate the smell
and taste of real fruit.
ii. Flower and other smells are also produced by naturally occurring
esters.
iii. Perfumes will have the same esters added. Benzyl ethanoate, for
example, is used to produce jasmine or gardenia fragrances.