Organic Chemistry IGCSE Chemistry: Complete Guide with Memory Tips

🧪 Understanding Organic Chemistry in IGCSE Chemistry

Organic chemistry studies carbon compounds. This comprehensive guide covers hydrocarbons, functional groups, and reactions with proven memory techniques.

🧠 Memory Tips

Alkane Names: “My Elephant Produces Beautiful Penguins”

• Methane (CH₄), Ethane (C₂H₆), Propane (C₃H₈), Butane (C₄H₁₀), Pentane (C₅H₁₂)

Functional Groups: “Alcohol Carboxyl Ester Amine”

• Alcohol (-OH), Carboxyl (-COOH), Ester (-COO-), Amine (-NH₂)

Alkanes vs Alkenes: “Alkanes Saturated, Alkenes Unsaturated”

• Alkanes: Single bonds only (saturated)
• Alkenes: Double bonds (unsaturated)

📚 Key Concepts

Hydrocarbons

• Definition: Compounds containing only carbon and hydrogen
• Alkanes: CₙH₂ₙ₊₂ (saturated)
• Alkenes: CₙH₂ₙ (unsaturated)
• Sources: Crude oil, natural gas

Alkanes

• General formula: CₙH₂ₙ₊₂
• Bonding: Single C-C bonds
• Properties: Unreactive, good fuels
• Examples: Methane, ethane, propane

Alkenes

• General formula: CₙH₂ₙ
• Bonding: C=C double bond
• Properties: More reactive than alkanes
• Test: Bromine water (orange to colorless)

Functional Groups

• Alcohol: -OH (hydroxyl)
• Carboxylic acid: -COOH
• Ester: -COO-
• Amine: -NH₂

🎯 IGCSE Exam Focus

Common Questions

1. Draw structural formulas (4 marks)
2. Name organic compounds (3 marks)
3. Describe addition reactions (5 marks)
4. Explain polymerization (6 marks)

Key Reactions

• Combustion: Hydrocarbon + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O
• Addition: Alkene + Br₂ → Dibromoalkane
• Polymerization: Many monomers → Polymer

Naming Rules

1. Find longest carbon chain
2. Identify functional groups
3. Number carbons from end nearest functional group
4. Name substituents and their positions

🔬 Organic Reactions

Combustion

• Complete: Hydrocarbon + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O
• Incomplete: Limited oxygen → CO + H₂O
• Applications: Fuels, energy production

Addition Reactions

• Alkenes only: Double bond breaks
• With halogens: C₂H₄ + Br₂ → C₂H₄Br₂
• With hydrogen: C₂H₄ + H₂ → C₂H₆
• With water: C₂H₄ + H₂O → C₂H₅OH

Polymerization

• Addition polymerization: Alkenes join together
• Examples: Ethene → Polyethene
• Applications: Plastics, synthetic materials

🏭 Industrial Applications

Crude Oil

• Fractional distillation: Separates hydrocarbons
• Fractions: Different boiling points
• Uses: Fuels, chemicals, plastics

Polymers

• Polyethene: Plastic bags, bottles
• Polystyrene: Packaging, insulation
• PVC: Pipes, cables, flooring
• Properties: Depend on monomer structure

Alcohols

• Ethanol: Alcoholic drinks, fuel, solvent
• Production: Fermentation, hydration of ethene
• Properties: Soluble in water, flammable

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