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Predicting structures and properties

Predicting structures and properties

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Practical skills

The scientific method
How to plan experiments
Improving repeatability and reproducibility
Presenting results using tables and graphs
Analysing results: anomalies and correlation
Evaluating experiments

Modern analytical techniques II

NMR spectroscopy
Proton NMR spectroscopy
Chromatography
Combining analytical techniques

Organic chemistry III

Benzene: structure and combustion
Electrophilic substitution
Friedel-Crafts reactions
Phenols
Aliphatic and aromatic amines
Reactions of amines
Forming amides
Condensation polymers
Amino acids and zwitterions
Grignard reagents
Synthetic routes
Practical techniques
Percentage composition and combustion analysis

Organic chemistry II

Optical isomers and chirality
Aldehydes and ketones
Carboxylic acids: properties and reactions
Esters: formation, properties and uses
Acyl chlorides: formation and reactions

Kinetics II

Measuring rates of reaction
Determining reaction orders
The initial rates method
Rate equations and the rate constant
The rate determining step
Halogenoalkane reaction mechanisms
Activation energy and the Arrhenius equation

Transition metals

Transition metals: electron configuration and oxidation number
Complex ions: formation, shape and isomerism
Colours of inorganic ions and complexes
Chromium and its reactions
Ligand substitution reactions
Transition metals as catalysts

Redox II

Electrochemical cells and redox
Electrode potentials and calculations
The electrochemical series
Energy storage cells and hydrogen fuel cells
Redox titrations

Energetics II

Lattice enthalpies and Born-Haber cycles
Polarisation and the Pauling scale
Enthalpy change in solution
Entropy and calculating entropy change
Gibbs free energy change

Acid-base equilibria

Acids and bases
pH calculations
The ionic product of water
pH curves and indicators
Buffer solutions and calculations

Equilibrium II

The equilibrium constant
Partial pressure and gas equilibria
Le Chatelier's principle and equilibrium constants

Equilibrium I

Reversible reactions
Le Chatelier's principle

Kinetics I

Collision theory and rates of reaction
Calculating the rate of reaction
Catalysts and the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution

Energetics I

Enthalpy changes and reaction profiles
Standard enthalpy changes
Hess's Law and enthalpy cycles
Calculating bond enthalpies

Modern analytical techniques I

Mass spectrometry
IR spectroscopy

Organic chemistry I

Basic concepts of organic chemistry
Organic reactions and mechanisms
Structural isomerism
Alkanes and free radical substitution
Fractional distillation of crude oil
Fuels: combustion and emissions
Alkenes: bonding and reactivity
Stereoisomerism
Reactions of alkenes
Addition polymerisation
Halogenoalkanes and their reactions
Alcohol: classification and reactions
Oxidation of alcohols
Organic techniques

Formulae, equations and amounts of substances

The mole and Avogadro's constant
Calculations involving gases
Empirical and molecular formulae
Balancing equations
Acid-base titrations
Calculating uncertainty and errors
Atom economy and percentage yield

Inorganic chemistry and the periodic table

Group 2: ionisation energy and properties
Thermal stability of nitrates and carbonates
Chemical properties of Group 7
Reactions with halogens
Halide ion reactions
Testing for ions

Redox I

Calculating oxidation numbers
Oxidation, reduction and redox reactions

Bonding and structure

Ionic bonding
Covalent bonding
Shapes of molecules
Giant covalent and metallic structures
Electronegativity and polarisation
Intermolecular forces: types and examples
Hydrogen bonding
Solubility
Predicting structures and properties

Atomic structure and the periodic table

The atom: history, structure and isotopes
Relative masses and mass spectrometry
Electronic structure: shells and orbitals
Atomic emission spectra
Ionisation energies
Ionisation energy trends
Periodicity

Explainer Video

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Tutor: Aimee LeBrun

Summary

Predicting structures and properties  

​​In a nutshell

The structure of a compound can be predicted by looking at its properties.



Properties

There are several different properties that can be looked at to determine the structure of a compound:

  • Melting and boiling point - determines strength of attraction 
  • Electrical conductivity - determines whether there are any free or charged particles 
  • Solubility in water - determines the ability to form hydrogen bonds or if ions are charged



Properties of different structures       

Below is table of the different properties shown for each type of bonding.   


bond

MELTING/

BOILING POINT

STATE AT R.T.P

electrical CONDUCTIVITY

sOluble in water

EXAMPle

Ionic

High

Solid

Solid - no

Liquid - yes, ions are broken down and are free to move

Yes
​BaCl2BaCl_2BaCl2​​​

Simple covalent

Low - no covalent bonds are broken

Normally liquid / gas
No 

Dependant on hydrogen bond formation
​F2F_2F2​​​

Giant covalent

High

Solid
Solid - no, except graphite / graphene 
Liquid - N/A sublimes to a gas 

No
​SiO2SiO_2SiO2​​​

Metallic 

High

Solid
Yes, the structure contains delocalised electrons  

No
​NaNaNa​​


Note: R.T.P stands for room temperature and pressure.  


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Learn with Basics

Learn the basics with theory units and practise what you learned with exercise sets!
Length:
Changes of state

Unit 1

Changes of state

Bonding, structure and properties of matter

Unit 2

Bonding, structure and properties of matter

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Optional

Predicting structures and properties

Unit 3

Predicting structures and properties

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FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

What does the solubility in water determine about the structure of a substance?

The solubility in water determines the ability to form hydrogen bonds or if ions in the structure are charged.

What does the electrical conductivity determine about a structure of a substance?

Electrical conductivity determines whether there are any free or charged particles.

How can the structure of a compound be predicited?

The structure of a compound can be predicted by looking at its properties.

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