CHEMISTRY 121

Warning: This is highly confidential.

For all diagrams, refer to the PD Format.

Question 1
Refer to the PD Format.

Question 2
(i) 5 – ethyl – 3 – methylheptane. (Alphabetical rule)
(ii) 3 – methylhexane
(iii) 2 – ethyl – 1, 2 - dimethylpentane (Alphabetical rule)
(iv) N, N – dimethylpropanamine (This is a special case of Amphiphile)
(v) Butylethanoate
Question 3
Butane – C4H10.
Possible isomers (2)
(i) n – butane, where n – means normal, straight (or unbranched)
(ii) 2 – methylpropane
Pentane – C5H10 (3)
(i) n – pentane (as afore explained)
(ii) 2 – methylbutane
(iii) 2, 2 – dimethylpropane
Nota Bene: Refer to the PD Format for structural diagrams.

Question 4
What is Stereoisomerism?
Stereoisomerism, stereochemistry or spatial isomerism, is a form of isomerism
in which molecules have the same molecular formula and sequence of bonded
atoms, but differ in the three-dimensional orientations of their atoms in space.
In stereochemistry, stereoisomerism, or spatial isomerism, is a form
of isomerism in which molecules have the same molecular formula and
sequence of bonded atoms (constitution), but differ in the three-dimensional
orientations of their atoms in space. This contrasts with structural isomers,
which share the same molecular formula, but the bond connections or their
order differs. 

4b

Geometric isomerism is the existence of compounds with the same molecular

formula but are fragmental (not identical) because of different spatial
arrangement of the compound atoms. Examples include Hex-2-ene and Oct-3-
ene.

It can also be defined (in layman’s view) as a type of isomerism that exists in
compounds due to the interchange of a functional group giving rise to cis- and
trans- form. The latter (trans -) is due to the placement of same functional group
adjacently, and the former (cis -) consequent of the side by side placement of
the functional group. As in the case of the compound – 1, 2 – dichloroethene.
The halo – group and the hydrogen group are the concerned group. Refer to PD
Format.

Optical isomerism is the existence of two or more compounds with the same
molecular formula but with different configurations. They also rotate plane-
polarized light. Examples include para – and ortho - xylene

Nota Bene: This is consequent to molecular asymmetry.

A compound that rotate plane-polarized light is said to be optically

active. It has a central carbon atom – to which four different
functional groups are attached. They are also called CHIRALS.

An example is found in the compound – 2 – hydroxylpropanoic acid (Lactic

acid) Refer to the PD Format for diagrams.

When the light is rotated to the right, it is dextro-rotatory [d – or +] and laevo-

rotatory to the left [L - (-)].

4c
From studies, all alkanones (dextrose) are structural isomers of the
corresponding alkanals (aldehydes). The compound – CH3COCH3 is propan-2-
one {or 2-propanone} Vide PD Format. The structural isomer of the compound
is Propionaldehyde [C3H60]. Refer to the PD Format for diagrams.

Question 5
Carbon is a non-metallic element that belong to Group 4 and Period 2 of the
Periodic Table. It has atomic number 6 and so have four valence electrons (that
is in its outermost shell) Carbon therefore forms four bonds due to its
tetravalence. This answers why.
Carbon normally has the electronic configuration 1s2 2s2 2p2 and this shows it
has two unpaired electrons. But it shows a covalency of four instead of two.
This is a chemical anomaly. To account for this, it is proposed (and this is
widely accepted) that the ground state carbon atom first absorbs energy before
bonding. The energy so absorbed is used to promote a 2s- orbital into the vacant
2p- orbital. Thus an excited carbon atom has the electronic configuration 1s 2 2s1
2px1 2py1 2pz1. The 2s- orbital is spherical (in shape) and of lower energy
compared to the 2p – orbital which are at right angles (90 0) to each other. So
before bonding occurs, there is now rearrangement of the four unpaired orbitals.
This rearrangement involves equalization in energy and largely their spreading
out (the tetrahedral structure of most carbon compounds). This is termed
hybridization. This answers how.
Question 6
Solution
An organic compound X containing only Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen, upon
combustion produces 0.233g of C02. By proportion, % composition of Carbon
here is 12 / (12 + 2[16]) x 0.233g = 0.0635g of Carbon.

Also % composition of Hydrogen here is 2 / (2[1] + 16) x 0.091g = 0.0101g of

Hydrogen.

0.152g of CHO produces 0.0635g Carbon, and 0.0101g of Hydrogen, then by

calculations, Oxygen content would be 0.152 – (0.0635 + 0.0101)g = 0.0784g.

By chemical analysis …

% composition of carbon is 41.77%

For hydrogen is 6.65%

And for oxygen is 100 – [41.77 + 6.65] = 51.58%

Then by the boring primary school method,

Carbon (12) Hydrogen (1) Oxygen (16)

12/41.77 1/6.65 16/51.58

0.2873 0.1504 0.3102

Next we divide by the lowest

2 1 2

Then by inversion.

And this gives us CH2O (methanone) so x = 1, y = 2 and z = 1

The compound is therefore Methanone with the mol. for. CH2O(aq).

Question 7

Paramagnetic is a term used to describe the property of an atom with unpaired

electrons, while Diamagnetic is a term used to describe an atom whose all
electrons are paired.

Diamagnetic substances are weakly repelled in magnetic fields exempli gratia

Copper, Zinc, Bismuth, Silver and Sodium chloride.

Paramagnetic substances are strongly attracted in magnetic field exempli gratia

aluminum, gold and copper.

The feature of electronic structure that distinguishes the properties are paired
and unpaired electrons. Courtesy: British Advanced Text.

7b

(i) [Ar] 3d6 = Mn+ & Fe2+ 24 electrons

(ii) [Ar] 3d5 = Cr+ & Mn2+ 23 electrons
(iii) [Ar] 3d10 = Cu+ & Zn2+ 28 electrons
(iv) [Ar] 3d8 = Co+ & Ni2+ 26 electrons

Question 8a

Already solved.

8b
SO3, SiO2, Al2O3 & Na2O2.

Nota Bene: Basicity increases with an increases in elctropositivity.

Question 9a

Vide PD Format for equations.

Lithium largely forms an oxide; Sodium forms a peroxide, and Potassium – a

superoxide.

9b

Vide PD Format for the equations.

All excerpts except stated otherwise are culled from the works of
Osei Yaw Ababio.