Elements From The Sea
Elements From The Sea
Elements From The Sea
Atomic structure
Use conventions for representing the distribution of electrons in atomic orbitals
It is more appropriate to talk about certain electron shells, as opposed to
energy levels, in chemistry. The shells are labelled by giving each a principle
quantum number, n; the higher the value of n, the further the shell is from the
nucleus, and the higher the energy associated with the shell. Each shell has a
limit to the number of electrons it can hold-a shell which contains its maximum
number of electrons is called a filled shell; electrons are arranged so that the
lowest energy levels are filled first.
Chemists can explain many of the properties of atoms without needing to
use a detailed theory of atomic structure. Much chemistry is decided only by the
outer shell electrons, and one very useful model treats the atom as being
composed of a core of the nucleus plus the inner electron shells, surrounded by
an outer shell (note: electron dot-cross diagrams)
Work out the electronic configuration of atoms from hydrogen to krypton, and
the outer sub-shell structures of other main group elements, in terms of main
energy levels and s-, p- and d-atomic orbitals and the elements positions in the
Periodic Table
When we come to look at elements other than hydrogen, we find their
spectra are much more complex-electron shells are not the whole story. The
shells themselves are split up into sub-shells. These are labelled s, p, d and f. The
n=1 shell only has an s sub-shell; the n=2 shell has two sub-shells, s and p; the
n=3 shell has sub-shells s, p and d; and the n=4 shell has four sub-shells, s, p, d
and f.
The sub-shells are themselves divided further into atomic orbitals: an s
sub-shell always contains one s atomic orbital; a p sub-shell always contains
three p atomic orbitals; a d sub-shell always contains five d atomic orbitals; an f
sub-shell always contains seven f atomic orbitals.
The energy level of the 3d sub-shell lies just above that of the 4s sub-shell,
but just below the 4p sub-shell. This means that once the 4s level is filled (in
calcium), the 3d sub-shell begins to be filled (in scandium). This sub-shell
continues to be filled across the period in the elements Sc to Zn. Once the 3d
orbitals are filled, subsequent electrons go into the 4p sub-shell.
Group 1 and 2 elements are known as s-block elements. In Groups 3-7 and
0, the outermost p sub-shell is being filled; these elements are known as p-block
elements. The elements where a d sub-shell is being filled, and those where an f
sub-shell is being filled are known as d-block and f-block elements respectively.
PD-PD bonds are the result of the attractive force between permanently
polarised molecules. These forces only occur in polar molecules, and are fairly
strong (e.g. HCl)
Describe the structure of an ionic lattice, and be able to draw the structure of
compounds that have the sodium chloride lattice
Redox
Calculate the oxidation state of specified atoms in formulae (including ions) and
explain which species have been oxidised and which reduced in a redox reaction;
use systematic nomenclature to name inorganic compounds
Atoms in elements are in oxidation state zero; in simple ions, the oxidation
state is the same as the charge on the ion. Since compounds have no overall
charge, the oxidation states of all the constituent elements must add up to zero.
F: -1
O: -2 (except in O and OF
H: +1 (except in H)
Cl: -1 (except when combined with O or F)
Recall the meaning of the term ionisation enthalpy; write equations for the
successive ionisations of an element and explain periodic and group trends in the
properties of elements in terms of ionisation enthalpy
If sufficient energy is given to an atom, an electron is lost and the atom
becomes a positive ion-ionisation has taken place. An input of energy is needed
to remove electrons, because they are attracted to the nucleus.
When one electron is pulled out of an atom, the energy required is called
the first ionisation enthalpy. We define the first ionisation enthalpy of an element
as the energy needed to remove one electron every atom in one mole of isolated
gaseous atoms of the element-a mole of gaseous ions with one positive charge
are formed: X(g) -> X(g) + e
Group 0 elements have high first ionisation enthalpies-they are difficult to
ionise, and are very unreactive. The Group 1 elements (alkali metals) have low
ionisation enthalpies, due to their solitary outer shell electron.
On going down Group 7, the first ionisation enthalpies decrease. This is
because the attraction between the nucleus and the outermost electron
decreases. This is a result of there being more filled shells of electrons between
the nucleus and the outermost electron. These shield the positively charged
nucleus form the outermost electron, thus reducing its attraction to the electron.
It is therefore easier for the outermost electron to be removed.
Recall the following physical properties of the halogens: appearance and physical
state at room temperature, volatility, solubility in water and organic solvents;
explain physical sate and volatility of the halogens in terms of intermolecular
bonds
Fluorine-Pale yellow gas, low melting and boiling point, reacts with water
(cannot be soluble), most volatile
Chlorine-Green gas, pale green when dissolved in water and hexane,
higher melting and boiling point than fluorine, slightly soluble in water
Bromine-Dark red (volatile) liquid, red-brown when dissolved in water, red
when dissolved in hexane, again higher melting/boiling points, most
soluble in water
Iodine-Shiny black solid (purple vapour upon heating), brown when
dissolved in water, violet when dissolved in hexane, highest
melting/boiling points, least soluble in water (bar fluorine), least volatile
All halogens are more soluble in organic compounds (e.g. hexane) than
water
The strongest type of intermolecular bond that can form between two
halogen molecules is ID-ID dipole forces of attraction. Fluorine has the smallest
molecules, with the least number of electrons, and so forms the weakest bonds.
The molecules get bigger as the group is descended. With more electrons in each
molecule, the strength of the intermolecular bonds increases, accounting for the
change in physical state of the halogens.
Use given information to compare different methods of manufacturing chemicals
industrially, in terms of atom economy, percentage yield, batch versus
continuous process, siting the plant, cost of process and raw materials, waste
disposal, safety
In a batch process, the starting materials are put into a vessel and allowed
to react together. The reaction is monitored, and, when, complete, the reaction
phase is terminated. The product is then separated from the reaction mixture.
The process is repeated in an identical manner, batch by batch, until the required
amount of product is manufactured.
In a continuous process, the starting materials are fed in at one end of the
plant, and the product is withdrawn at the other end of the plant in a continuous
flow. The process may proceed through various unit operations in specifically
designed parts, each dedicated to a particular step in the sequence.
Explain and compare the relative reactivity of the halogens in terms of their
oxidising ability; describe and write half-equations for the redox changes which
take place:
See earlier notes
When chlorine, bromine and iodine react with other halide ions
Reactions of the halides with halide ions are displacement reactions.
They are also redox reactions, where the more reactive halogen is
the oxidising agent (displacing the less reactive halogen). We can
write two half-equations to express these reactions
At the electrodes on electrolysis of aqueous halide solutions
At the positive electrodes, chloride (halide) ions are oxidised, and at
the negative electrode, water is reduces to produce hydrogen and
hydroxide ions
Recall the reactions between halide ions (X) and silver ions (Ag), and write
ionic equations to represent these precipitation reactions
Silver halides are precipitated when a solution of silver ions is added to a
solution containing halide ions. Silver chloride is white, silver bromide is cream,
and silver iodide is white.
Explain the risks associated with the storage and transport of the halogens
(fluorine to iodine)
Chlorine has a poor public image. It is associated with pollution-pollution of
the land through pesticides that contain organochlorine compounds, and
pollution of the upper atmosphere through CFCs. Both chlorine and a compound
derived from it, phosgene (COCl) were used with deadly effect in the trenches in
the First World War.
Because it is the most reactive of the halogens, fluorine is extremely
dangerous to use. It is so reactive that it is almost impossible to store, because it
reacts with the chemical used to make the container. Instead, it is necessary to
generate the fluorine (made from mineral fluorite) and then use it immediately to
make the required product.
Bromine has a dense and choking vapour-the liquid produces painful sores
if spilled on the skin. Great care has to be taken when transporting bromine;
most of it is carried in lead-lined steel tanks, supported in strong metal frameseach tank holds several tonnes of the element. International regulations control
the design and construction of road and rail tanks.
Recall and describe some uses of halogen compounds which must be weighted
against these risks
About 50 million tonnes of chlorine are produced worldwide annually. The
best known use of this halogen is in water treatment, where it is added to the
water to kill bacteria and other pathogens. A large quantity is used to make
organic chemicals such as chloroethene, which is used to make
poly(chloroethene) or PVC. It is needed for the manufacture of polyurethanes and
is present in a wide variety of solvents (such as trichloroethene) used both in the
dry cleaning of clothes, and in industry to clean grease off metals.
Organic reactions
Describe in outline the preparation of a chloroalkane from an alcohol using HCl
Reacting an alcohol with the appropriate hydrogen halide can make a
monosubstituted halogenoalkane. For example, chloromethane can be made by
reacting methanol with hydrogen chloride. This reaction is an example of a
substitution reaction. Most of the chloromethane manufactured industrially is
made by this method. The reaction can be carried out either by bubbling
hydrogen chloride gas through boiling methanol, or by passing a mixture of
methanol vapour and hydrogen chloride gas over a heated alumina catalyst.
Describe and explain the principal stages in purification of an organic liquid
product
of
halogenoalkanes,
The carbon-halogen bond is polar, but not polar enough to make a big
difference to the physical properties of the compounds; for example, all
halogenoalkanes are immiscible with water
Boiling points
The boiling points of the halogenoalkanes depend on their size, and
number of halogen atoms present-the bigger the halogen atom, and
the more halogen atoms there are, the higher the boiling point.
Bromo and iodo compounds are fairly reactive, which makes them
useful as intermediates in synthesising other organic compounds.
Nucleophilic substitution with water and hydroxide ions to form alcohols,
and with ammonia to form amines
Substitution reactions are typical of halogenoalkanes-for example, a
substitution reaction takes place between a halogenoalkane and
hydroxide ions, in which the halogenoalkane is hydrolysed to form
an alcohol. For example, in bromobutane (CH-CH-CH-CH-BR), the
C-Br bond is polar, and the oxygen atom of the hydroxide ion is
negatively charged. The partial positive charge on the carbon atom
attracts the negatively charged oxygen of the hydroxide ion. A lone
pair of electrons on the O atom forms a bond with the C atom as the
C-BR bond breaks. This reaction involves heterolytic fission-ions are
formed, rather than radicals.
Halogenoalkanes perform substitution reactions with many different
reagents-what is needed is a group carrying a pair of electrons to
start forming a bond to the carbon atom. Attacking groups like
these, which can donate a pair of electrons to a positively charged
carbon atom to form a new covalent bond, are called nucleophiles.
Nucleophiles dont need to have a full negative charge-it is possible
for a neutral molecule to act as a nucleophile, provided it has a lone
pair of electrons which can be used to form a bond to a carbon
atom.
For example, the water molecule has a lone pair on the oxygen
atom, so water can act as a nucleophile and attack a
halogenoalkane molecule such as 1-bromobutane. This reaction
goes in two stages. First, the HO attacks the halogenoalkane. This
forms a halogen ion, and an organic ion. The latter then loses a H,
forming an alcohol. This type of reaction with water is also known as
a hydrolysis reaction.
Ammonia, NH, can act as a nucleophile in a similar way to water,
with the lone pair of electrons on the N atom attacking the
halogenoalkane. The product is an amine with an NH group.
Reaction mechanisms
Explain and use the terms: hydrolysis, substitution, nucleophile
The great strength of the C-F bond makes it very difficult to break, so
fluoro compounds are very unreactive. As you go down the group, the C-Hal bond
gets weaker, so the compound becomes more reactive. Bromo and iodo
compounds are fairly reactive, which makes them useful as intermediates in
synthesising other organic compounds.
You might imagine that a large bond polarity in a C-X bond would result in
it breaking easily. However, it has been shown experimentally that bond enthalpy
is the overriding factor in determining reactivity.
Isomerism
Draw and interpret skeletal, structural and full structural formulae; use the
concept of repulsion of areas of electron density do deduce the bond angles in
organic molecules (including double bonds); relate molecular shape to structural
formulae, and use wedges and dotted lines to represent 3D shape
Because similar charges repel, the groups of electrons around an atom
arrange themselves so that they are as far apart as possible.
Bonds which lie in the plan of the paper are drawn as solid lines, in the
normal way. Bonds which go backwards are shown as dashed lines; those going
forwards are drawn as solid wedges.
Some molecules have lone pairs in the outer shells of individual atoms.
Those lone pairs repel the bonding pairs of electrons, in the same way the latter
repel themselves.
Linear molecules occur when there are two groups of electrons around the
central atom (s), and so the furthest apart the electrons can get is 180.
When there are three groups of electrons around the central atom, the
molecule is known as planar triangular. The angles between bonds in these
molecules are 120.
Four groups of electrons give rise to a tetrahedral shape (109).
In molecules with 5 groups of electrons, a trigonal bipyramidal shape is
formed, with bond angles of 90 and 120.
Octahedral-shape molecules occur when there are six groups of electrons