ALKANES

Ø These are hydrocarbons with single covalent bonds between the

carbon atoms i.e C-C
Ø They are referred to as saturated hydrocarbon for this reason.
Ø Alkanes have the general formula CnH2n+2 (where n is the number of
carbons)
Ø All the fractions collected from the fractional distillation of crude oil
are alkanes
Ø Alkanes are generally used as fuels
Ø Alkanes burn cleanly
 Alkanes - Methane
Methane (CH4) is the simplest alkane.
The white balls represent hydrogen atoms

The black balls represent carbon atoms

NOTE:

Carbon is in group 4 and always forms 4 covalent

bonds to hydrogen atoms

Methane is the dominant gas in natural gas.

 Alkanes - Naming Convention
The other members of the alkane group are named by using the Greek number prefix for
the number of carbon atoms
and the suffix -ane, e.g. pent (5 carbon atoms) gives pentane...
REMEMBER
Number of
Alkane Pentane
Carbon • All the bonds in alkane molecules are covalent bonds, where
Name electrons are shared
atoms
• Each carbon in an alkane forms 4 covalent bonds
5 Pentane • The general formula for all alkanes is CnH2n+2 (n = the number of
carbons)
6 Hexane
So, an alkane molecule with 12 carbons would have the molecular
formula C12H26
7 Heptane
Octane Nonane
8 Octane

9 Nonane

10 Decane

12 Dodecane
 Alkanes - Structure & Formulas
Some of the molecules of the alkanes are short, such as methane...

Methane (C1)
CH4

and some are long...

Decane (C10)
C10H22
Alkanes - Their Formulas
State the formula to match the name...
 FUNCTIONAL GROUP

Functional group = a group of atoms which are arranged or bonded in a

particular way and which determine how an organic compound will react.

So, in an
qalkane the functional group is a C-C single bond
qAlkene the functional group is C=C double bond
qAlcohol the functional group is –OH
 HOMOLOGOUS SERIES

A homologous series is a group of compounds which share the

following characteristics:

• each compound has the same functional group and

• therefore the same general formula.
• all compounds do the same chemical reactions
• a gradual change in physical properties e.g. boiling points, colour,
viscosity

Examples of homologous series are alkanes, alkenes and alcohols.

So alkanes belong to the same homologous series because they:

+ CH2 + CH2

Ø They all have the same functional group i.e. C-C

Ø They have the same general formula i.e. CnH2n+2
Ø They all react in the same way
Ø They show a gradual change in their physical properties i.e their melting
point increases, their colours get darker, they become more viscous
Ø Each successive member differs by –CH2
COMPLETE COMBUSTION OF ALKANES – this means burning alkanes in a plentiful supply of oxygen

This reaction is highly exothermic.

Example 1:
CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O
methane oxygen carbon dioxide water

The photograph shows a bunsen flame

where complete combustion is taking
place.
The air hole is fully open and so there
is ample air (oxygen) supply.
The blue flame is characteristic of
complete combustion.

Example 2:

C2H6 + 2½O2 à CO2 + 3H2O

INCOMPLETE COMBUSTION – this means burning alkanes in a limited supply of oxygen

Example
CH4 + 1½ O2 → CO + 2H2O
methane oxygen carbon monoxide water
CH4 + O2 → C + 2H2O
methane oxygen carbon water

The photograph shows a bunsen flame where

incomplete combustion is taking place. The air
hole is closed and so the air (oxygen) supply is
restricted.

It is the carbon atoms that give the safety

flame its characteristic yellow colour.
Example 2:
C2H6 + 2O2 à CO + 3H2O
Incomplete combustion of alkanes can also produce carbon particulates
(soot!) instead of carbon monoxide
i.e.
CH4 + O2 à C + 2H2O
C2H6 + 1½O2 à C + 3H2O
 STRUCTURAL ISOMERISM

Definition:

Structural isomerism are compounds which have the same molecular formula but
different displayed formula. As a result their properties can differ.

Example:
Isomers for compounds having the molecular formula C4H10

NAME : Butane – C4H10

NAME : Methyl propane – C4H10
 SUBSTITUTION REACTIONS WITH BROMINE

Ø Alkanes are unreactive, however they do react with halogens (i.e group 7
molecules such as Cl2 and Br2) in the presence of UV light (from sunlight!).
Ø This condition is needed to break the strong covalent bond between Br-Br or
Cl-Cl
Ø A substitution reaction occurs which is an endothermic reaction. During this
reaction a hydrogen atom in the alkane is replaced by a halogen atom i.e. Cl or
Br.
Example 1: methane + bromine → bromomethane + hydrogen bromide

structural equation:
Example 2: ethane + chlorine → chloroethane + hydrogen chloride

structural equation:

UV light
Thank you!