BRAINCAKEReactions and Reactive Species
Revision notes for Reactions and Reactive Species in OCR Chemistry A (H432). Every lesson in BrainCake comes with R.E.C.I.P.E. recall steps, a quick check and spaced reviews.
- Free radicalsUltraviolet light can break covalent bonds.
- NucleophilesA nucleophile is an electron pair donor.
- ElectrophilesAn electrophile is an electron pair acceptor.
- AcidsAn acid is a proton (H+) donor.
- BasesA base is a proton (H+) acceptor.
- Oxidising AgentsOxidation is any one or more of loss of electrons increase in oxidation number gain of oxygen loss of hydrogen Acidified potassium dichromate (VI)…
- Reducing AgentsReduction is the gain of electrons or a decrease in oxidation number.
- SubstitutionIn a substitution reaction an atom or group of atoms in a molecule is replaced by a different atom or group.
- AdditionIn an addition reaction two molecules join to form a single product.
- EliminationIn an elimination reaction a small molecule, such as H2O or a hydrogen halide, is removed from a single larger molecule.
- Addition-EliminationIn an addition-elimination reaction a molecule first adds across a C=O double bond, then a small molecule is eliminated and the C=O bond reforms.
- Acid-Base ReactionsAcid-base reactions take place when one molecule acts as an acid and donates a proton and the other molecule acts as a base and accepts a proton.
- OxidationIn organic chemistry, oxidation is the addition of oxygen or the removal of hydrogen.
- ReductionIn organic chemistry, reduction is the addition of hydrogen or the removal of oxygen.
- CombustionCombustion is the reaction with oxygen.
- CrackingCracking converts longer-chain hydrocarbons into shorter-chain hydrocarbons.
- ReformingReforming converts straight-chain alkanes into branched alkanes and cyclic hydrocarbons, including arenes.
- CondensationIn a condensation reaction two molecules join together and a small molecule, usually water or hydrogen chloride, is removed.
- HydrolysisHydrolysis is the breaking of a covalent bond by reaction with water.
- PolymerisationA polymer is a very long molecule made of many small repeating molecules called monomers.