ALKANES

Saturated hydrocarbons containing of only Carbon and Hydrogen and only single bonds. Have a
general formula of CnH2n+2
Linear Alkanes - Also referred to as ‘normal’ alkanes are carbons linked in a straight chain.
Branched Alkanes - some carbons are attached as a branch off of the main chain.
Examples of alkanes
Name Molecular formula Structural formula
Methane CH4 H
H C H
H
Ethane C2H6 H H
H C C H
H H
Propane C3H8 H H H
H C C C H
H H H
Butane C4H10 H H H H
H C C C C H
H H H H
Pentane C5H12 H H H H H
H C C C C C H
H H H H H
Hexane C6H14 H H H H H H
H C C C C C C H
H H H H H H

Nomenclature (Naming) Rules

Alkanes are named as saturated hydrocarbons by adding the suffix-ane on the stem name of the
parent hydrocarbon.
The parent hydrocarbon indicates the number of carbon atoms.
Number of carbon atoms, n Parent name Alkane
1 Meth Methane
2 Eth Ethane
3 Prop Propane
4 But Butane
5 Pent Pentane
6 Hex Hexane
7 Hept Heptane
The branches on the parent chain is always indicated together with their positions. For cyclic
alkanes, a prefix-cyclo is used before the parent name. Consider the following
Alkane Name

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 H2
C
H2 C
CH2
H2 C
C
H2
Preparations of alkanes
1. From unsaturated hydrocarbons: Referred to as hydrogenation of alkenes and alkynes
using hydrogen gas in presence of a suitable catalyst like nickel at 150oC, platinum (Pt) and
paradium (Pd) at room temperature e.g.

H2C CH2 + H2 Ni
H3C CH3
150OC
Pt H3C CH3
HC CH + H2
2. From alkylhalides: reduction of alkylhalides to alkanes is by addition of zinc in presence
of conc. HCl
Zn/Conc. HCl
CH3CH2Cl CH3CH3 + ZnCl2
3. From carboxylic acid: carboxylic acids or their salts react with sodium hydroxide or soda
lime to form alkanes

CH3CH2COOH Excess NaOH CH3CH3 + Na2CO3 + H2O

Heat

Properties of Alkanes
Physical properties
1. Lower alkanes (C1-C3) are gases, next (C4-C9) are liquids and the rest are solids
2. Generally the boiling and melting points of alkanes are lower than corresponding
compounds like alcohols, carboxylic acids.
3. Alkanes are non-polar, or also called hydrophobic (water hating).
Chemical properties
1. Alkanes react with nitric acid to form nitroalkanes
Heat CH3NO2 + H2O
CH4 + HNO3
2. React with air (oxygen) to form carbon dioxide and water. This is called complete
combustion.
CH4 + 2O2 CO2 + 2H2O
3. React with halogens in presence of sunlight energy to form haloalkanes.
CH4 + Cl2 CH3Cl + HCl

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