The alkanes discussed in the text are either straight-chain or branched. However, there is a homologous series of alkanes known as cycloalkanes. The structure of cyclohexane (${\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_{12}$) is shown below as a structural formula and a skeletal formula. Cyclohexane is a liquid at room temperature.

On an industrial scale cyclohexane is prepared by the hydrogenation of benzene (${\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_6$). Formulate an equation summarising this reaction.

 

Methanol, ethanol, propan-$1$-ol and butan-$1$-ol are all highly soluble in water, but pentan-$1$-ol is far less soluble and decan-$1$-ol is almost insoluble at $25 °\mathrm{C}$.

A fresh ball of cotton wool is dipped into each of the alcohols listed above and rubbed across a piece of dark paper to produce a series of six ‘wet marks’. Predict, with reasons, the order in which the marks will evaporate to dryness.

Ethanedioic acid (commonly known as oxalic acid) is a poisonous substance found in rhubarb leaves. It has the following structural formula:

Suggest why ethanedioic acid is described as a dibasic acid in an aqueous solution.

Ethanedioic acid (commonly known as oxalic acid) is a poisonous substance found in rhubarb leaves. It has the following structural formula:

Deduce the molecular and empirical formulas of ethanedioic acid.

Ethanedioic acid (commonly known as oxalic acid) is a poisonous substance found in rhubarb leaves. It has the following structural formula:

Formulate an equation showing the neutralization of ethanedioic acid by barium hydroxide solution.

Ethanedioic acid (commonly known as oxalic acid) is a poisonous substance found in rhubarb leaves. It has the following structural formula:

Suggest why aluminium saucepans become shiny and clean after stewing with rhubarb leaves.

Ethanedioic acid (commonly known as oxalic acid) is a poisonous substance found in rhubarb leaves. It has the following structural formula:

Suggest a name for the salt formed between ethanedioic acid and potassium carbonate. Formulate the equation for the reaction.