Homologous Series Members

Alrick Moodie
February 2007
Hydrocarbons
Hydrocarbons are compounds which contain carbon and hydrogen
only .
The two amilies o hydrocarbons which we will e!plore are "
# the alkanes
# the alkenes
Alkanes
The alkanes ha$e general ormula
%
n
H
2n&2
'hysical properties o alkanes
%hemical reactions o alkanes
Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons i.e. they ha$e the ma!imum
number o hydrogen atoms .
Alkanes undergo substitution reactions where one o the hydrogen is
replaced by a ne!t element .
This process is called halogenation
%H
(
& %l
2
%H
)
%l & H%l
This reaction is carried out "
* *n the presence o ultra$iolet light
or
* At temperatures o 200
o
%
The reaction also occurs with bromine although with less $igour
%hemical reactions o alkanes
Alkanes also undergo combustion reactions.
They burn in o!ygen to orm carbon dio!ide and water .
Alkenes
Alkenes are hydrocarbons which contain one carbon to carbon double
bond
%+%
The double bonds means that alkenes are unsaturated . They can hold
more atoms thereore they undergo addition reactions .
,eactions
* Hydrogenation
* Halogenation
* Hydration
* Hydrohalogenation
* %ombustion
-ike alkanes . alkenes will burn in air to orm carbon dio!ide and
water .
%
2
H
(
& )/
2
2%/
2
& 2H
2
/
Hydrogenation
Alkenes will add hydrogen gas to orm the alkane .
%
2
H
(
0g1 & H
2
0g1 %
2
H
2
0g1
This reaction is carried out at 200
o
% o$er a metal catalyst . usually
nickel .
Margarine manufacture
* Some margarine is made by hydrogenating carbon#carbon double
bonds in animal or $egetable ats and oils. 3ou can recogni4e the
presence o this in oods because the ingredients list will include words
showing that it contains 5hydrogenated $egetable oils5 or
5hydrogenated ats5.
Halogenation
Alkenes will add the halogen to orm the alkyl halide .
%
2
H
(
0g1 & 6r
2
0l1 %
2
H
(
6r
2
0l1
This reaction is carried out at room temperature . This is the 7ualitati$e
test or alkenes . the ease at which bromine in a sol$ent is
decolouri4ed .
The bromine is usually in a non#polar sol$ent such as carbon
tetrachloride %%l
(
A7ueous bromine . bromine water can be used .
The colour would go rom red#brown to colourless .
Hydration
Alkenes will add water to orm the alcohol .
%
2
H
(
0g1 & H
2
/ 0l1 %
2
H
8
/H 0l1
The reaction is carried out "
* The alkene is passed with steam o$er a catalyst .
or
* %oncentrated sulphuric acid is added to the alkene and the mi!ture
boiled with water to 920
o
% .
Hydrohalogenation
Alkenes will add hydrogen halide to orm the alkyl halide .
%
2
H
(
0g1 & H6r 0g1 %
2
H
8
6r 0g1
Alkenes also undergo o!idation . The reactions are not necessary to be
taught at this stage . The products could be "
# the diol
# the carbo!ylic acid
# the aldehyde : ketone
%omparison between
alkanes and alkenes