Alkanes

1: Classification of Hydrocarbons
1.

Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons: y saturated (only single C-C bonds) y hydrocarbon (only C and H)
H H C H H H H C H H C H H C H
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2: Bondings in hydrocarbon Carbon atoms has 4 valence electrons @ need 4 electrons to reach octet electron arrangement. @ four bonds to each carbon atom Hydrogen atoms has 1 valence electron @ need 1 electron to reach duplet electron arrangement. @ one bond to each hydrogen atom Carbon and hydrogen atoms can bond to each other to form very extensive and molecular systems.
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3: Molecular Formulas of Alkanes

Write the molecular formula for each of the alkanes below.

H H C H

H C H H H

H C H

H C H

H C H

H C H H

C2 H 6

C4H10
4

C5H12

C6H14
6

What is alkanes?

the

general

molecular

formula

for

Alkanes have the general formula

CnH2n+2
n = no.ofcarbon atoms in the molecule

4: Nomenclature of Alkanes 1. The name of alkanes consist of 2 parts : the stem & the suffix 2. Stem tells the number of carbon atoms 3. Suffix tells the group is alkane: -ane 4. Prefix is added to the beginning of the stem tells the number of carbon atoms

Naming Alkanes
Example : Butane
Name of alkane Butane Prefix But (no of carbon atoms = 4) Suffix -ane (the group is alkane)

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Prefixes
Meth Eth Prop But Pent Hex Hept Oct Non Dec 1 carbon atom 2 carbon atoms 3 carbon atoms 4 carbon atoms 5 carbon atoms 6 carbon atoms 7 carbon atoms 8 carbon atoms 9 carbon atoms 10 carbon atoms
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No. of C atoms

Nomenclature / Molecular formula Methane CH4

Structural Formula
H

1 C

C H

H C H H

2 C

Ethane

C2H6

C H

H C H

H C H
12

3 C

Propane

C3H8

C H

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No. of C atoms

Nomenclature / Molecular formula

Structural Formula
H H C H H C H H C H H

4 C

Butane

C4H10

C H

6 C

Hexane

C6H14

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5: Physical Properties

a) Melting and Boiling Point

* Low boiling points and melting points because forces between molecules are weak

b) Physical State at Room Temperature

CH4 - C4H10 C5H12 - C17H38 u C18H38 : gas : liquid : solid
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c) Solubility
* Soluble in non polar solvents (organic solvents), insoluble in water.

d) Density
* The density of the alkanes increases with increasing number of carbon atoms, BUT is less than that of water. Hence, alkanes form the upper layer in an alkane-water mixture.

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e) Electrical Conductivity
Do not conduct electricity because : alkanes are covalent compounds, do not have free ions but are made up of molecules

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a) Melting and Boiling Point

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a) Melting and Boiling Point

The boiling point increases between 20 -30 C per -CH2 group. Boiling points and melting points increase as number of carbon atoms per molecule increases. Then, size of molecules increases (molecular mass increases) Forces between molecules (van der Waals forces) are stronger More heat energy is needed to overcome the forces
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