Unit 14: Applications of Organic Chemistry
Functional group chemistry for designer molecules
Introduction
Functional groups are defined as being an atom or a group of atoms upon which the properties of
different organic compounds are based on. They are an important part of organic compounds
because they affect their reactivity by determining the chemical reactions they can participate in as
well as affecting the properties such as boiling points and melting points.
Reactions
Halogenoalkanes
Halogenoalkanes can undergo nucleophilic substitution and elimination reactions.
When chloroethane reacts with sodium hydroxide, it produces ethanol and sodium chloride. The
type of reaction that takes place is nucleophilic substitution. The reaction conditions for this reaction
are using an aqueous alkali being sodium hydroxide and warm conditions. The image below shows
the equation for this reaction including the names for all the starting materials and products:
The balanced equation of this reaction is shown below:
C2H5Cl + NaOH → C2H6O + NaCl
An image of the 3d model of ethanol has been shown below:
[1]
When chloroethane reacts with sodium hydroxide, a nucleophilic substitution reaction takes place
because there is a partially positive charged carbon in the halogenoalkane which is susceptible to be
attacked by the nucleophile, -OH, since it has a lone pair of electrons. The halogen atom is replaced
by the hydroxyl group to form an alcohol.
Ethanol can be used as a component in alcoholic drinks such as beer, wine, and spirits when it is in its
diluted form. It is also used in pharmaceutical products like lotions, tonics, cosmetics, and in
perfumes. Additionally, sodium chloride is used in healthcare to help patient from becoming
dehydrated. Sodium chloride is the chemical name for salt meaning that it is used for food seasoning.
It is also used to manufacture plastic but also to melt the ice on roads and sidewalks.
Functional group chemistry for designer molecules
Introduction
Functional groups are defined as being an atom or a group of atoms upon which the properties of
different organic compounds are based on. They are an important part of organic compounds
because they affect their reactivity by determining the chemical reactions they can participate in as
well as affecting the properties such as boiling points and melting points.
Reactions
Halogenoalkanes
Halogenoalkanes can undergo nucleophilic substitution and elimination reactions.
When chloroethane reacts with sodium hydroxide, it produces ethanol and sodium chloride. The
type of reaction that takes place is nucleophilic substitution. The reaction conditions for this reaction
are using an aqueous alkali being sodium hydroxide and warm conditions. The image below shows
the equation for this reaction including the names for all the starting materials and products:
The balanced equation of this reaction is shown below:
C2H5Cl + NaOH → C2H6O + NaCl
An image of the 3d model of ethanol has been shown below:
[1]
When chloroethane reacts with sodium hydroxide, a nucleophilic substitution reaction takes place
because there is a partially positive charged carbon in the halogenoalkane which is susceptible to be
attacked by the nucleophile, -OH, since it has a lone pair of electrons. The halogen atom is replaced
by the hydroxyl group to form an alcohol.
Ethanol can be used as a component in alcoholic drinks such as beer, wine, and spirits when it is in its
diluted form. It is also used in pharmaceutical products like lotions, tonics, cosmetics, and in
perfumes. Additionally, sodium chloride is used in healthcare to help patient from becoming
dehydrated. Sodium chloride is the chemical name for salt meaning that it is used for food seasoning.
It is also used to manufacture plastic but also to melt the ice on roads and sidewalks.
