Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons. They contain only carbon and hydrogen, and only single C-C and C-H bonds.The general formula of the alkanes is CnH2n+2, where n is the number of carbon atoms. For example, when n = 3 the alkane is C3H8, propane.Each carbon atom forms four single bonds arranged tetrahedrally, with bond angles of 109.5°.Alkanes form a homologous series. Each member differs from the next by CH2. They are fairly unreactive because C-C and C-H bonds are strong and non-polar, but they burn well and are used as fuels.
General Formula
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Specification: AQA Chemistry (7404), AS-level, 3.3.2.1 Fractional distillation of crude oil. Topic: Alkanes.
Key terms in this lesson
- homologous series
- A family of organic compounds with the same functional group and general formula, each member differing from the next by CH2.
More in Alkanes
- Straight Chains
- Branched Chains
- Cyclic Alkanes
- Naming Alkanes
- Structural Isomers
- Physical Properties
- Fractional Distillation of Crude Oil
- Fracking
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