A helpful list of essential chemical reactions that a Year 12 student should know.
Hydrocarbon + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide Gas + Liquid Water
E.g. 2C8H18(l) + 25O2(g) → 16CO2(g) + 18H2O(l)
Metal + Acid → Salt + Hydrogen gas
E.g. Zn(s) + 2HCl(aq) → ZnCl2(aq) + H2(g)
Carbonate + Acid → Salt + Carbon Dioxide Gas + Liquid Water
E.g. Na2CO3(aq) + 2HCl(aq) → 2NaCl(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)
Metal → Metal Ion + Electron/s
E.g. Cu(s) → Cu2+(aq) + 2e–
Metal Ion + Electron/s → Metal
E.g. Ag+(aq) + e– → Ag(s)
This reaction involves the transfer of electron/s from one reactant to another. This thus results in both a reduction and oxidation reaction occurring. To obtain the redox reaction, you can either write the net ionic equation for a displacement reaction (option 1) or add reduction and oxidation reactions together (option 2).
E.g. OPTION 1:
Cu(s) + 2AgNO3(aq) → Cu(NO3)2(aq) + 2Ag(s)
Cu(s) + 2Ag+(aq) + 2NO3– → Cu2+(aq) + 2NO3– + 2Ag(s)
Cu(s) + 2Ag+(aq) + 2NO3– → Cu2+(aq) + 2NO3– + 2Ag(s)
Cu(s) + 2Ag+(aq) → Cu2+(aq) + 2Ag(s)
E.g. OPTION 2
NOTE: BOTH THE CONSERVATION OF MASS AND CHARGE MUST BE SHOWN IN YOUR EQUATION!
Cu(s) → Cu2+(aq) + 2e–
+
2Ag+(aq) + 2e– → 2Ag(s)
__________________
Cu(s) + 2Ag+(aq) + 2e– → Cu2+(aq) + 2e– + 2Ag(s)
Cu(s) + 2Ag+(aq) → Cu2+(aq) + 2Ag(s)
Calcium hydroxide + Gaseous carbon dioxide → Solid calcium carbonate + liquid water
I.e. Ca(OH)2(aq) + CO2(g) → CaCO3(s) + H2O(l)
Alkene + Hydrogen → Alkane
E.g. C2H4(g) + H2(g) → C2H6(g) Catalyst is Pt(s)
Alkene + Bromine → Vicinal dibromide
E.g. C2H4(g) + Br2(g) → CH2BrCH2Br(g)
Alkene + Chlorine → Vicinal dichloride
E.g. C2H4(g) + H2(g) → CH2ClCH2Cl(g)
Alkene + HX → Alkyl halide
E.g. C2H4(g) + HBr(g) → CH3CH2Br(g)
Alkene + Bromine → Organobromine compound + Hydrogen bromide
E.g. C2H6(g) +Br2(l) → C2H5Br(l) +HBr(g)
NOTE: This reaction requires the presence of UV light.
Alkene + Water → Alkanol
E.g. C2H4(g) + H2O(g) → CH3CH2OH(g) Catalyst is dilute H2SO4
Alkanol → Alkene + Water
E.g. CH3CH2OH(g) → C2H4(g) + H2O(g) Catalyst is concentrate H2SO4
Aqueous Glucose → Ethanol + Carbon Dioxide Gas
I.e. C6H12O6(aq) → 2CH3CH2OH(aq) + 2CO2(g) Catalyst is zymase (found in yeast)
Parent nucleus → Daughter nucleus + Alpha particle
E.g. 238U → 234Th + 4He
Parent nucleus → Daughter nucleus + Beta particle
E.g. 14C → 14N + e–
Acid + Base → Salt + Liquid Water
E.g. HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) → NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)
Aqueous carbon dioxide + Liquid water ↔ Carbonic Acid
I.e. CO2(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ H2CO3(aq)
Sulfur + Gaseous oxygen → Sulfur Dioxide
I.e. S(s) + O2(g) → SO2(g)
Gaseous sulfur dioxide + Liquid water → Sulfurous acid
I.e. SO2(g) + H2O(l) ⇌ H2SO3(aq)
Gaseous sulfur dioxide + Gaseous oxygen → Sulfur trioxide
I.e. 2SO2(g) + O2(g) → 2SO3(g)
Gaseous sulfuric acid + Liquid Water → Sulfuric acid
I.e. SO3(g) + H2O(l) → H2SO4(aq)
Gaseous oxygen + Gaseous nitrogen → Gaseous nitrogen monoxide
I.e. O2(g) + N2(g) → 2NO(g)
Gaseous nitrogen monoxide + Gaseous oxygen → Gaseous nitrogen dioxide
I.e. 2NO(g) + O2(g) → 2NO2(g)
Gaseous nitrogen dioxide + Liquid water → Nitric acid + Gaseous nitrogen monoxide
I.e. 3NO2(g) + H2O(l) → 2HNO3(aq) + NO(g)
Acid + Liquid Water → Hydronium Ion + Anion
E.g. HCl(aq) + H2O(l) → H3O+(aq) + Cl‑(aq)
E.g. H2SO4(aq) + H2O(l) → H3O+(aq) + HSO4–(aq)
Ethanoic acid reacts with ethanol in the presence of concentrated sulphuric acid as a catalyst to produce the ester, ethyl ethanoate. The reaction is slow and reversible. To reduce the chances of the reverse reaction happening, the ester is distilled off as soon as it is formed.
Alkanoic acid + Alcohol ⇌ Alkyl alkanoate + Water (Catalyst: Concentrated sulfuric acid)
E.g. CH3COOH(aq) + CH3CH2OH(aq) ⇌ CH3COOCH2CH3(aq) + H2O(l)
1. Gaseous oxygen + High energy UV → Oxygen free radical
I.e. O2(g) + UV → 2O•(g)
2. Gaseous oxygen + Oxygen free radical → Gaseous ozone
I.e. O2(g) + O•(g) → O3(g)
1. Photodissociation of CFC
E.g. CF2Cl2(g) + UV → CF2Cl + Cl•
2. Destruction of Ozone
I.e. O3(g) + Cl•(g) → ClO•(g) + O2(g)
3. Regeneration of Chlorine
I.e. ClO•(g)+ O•(g) → Cl•(g) + O2(g)
Our HSC experts will make sure you know all the essential chemical reactions and more to Ace Year 12 Chemistry. Learn more!
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