ADG

ALKANES
Alkanes are a homologous series of hydrocarbons that contain
only carbon-carbon single covalent bonds.

General formula: CnH2n+2

Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons because they

contain only carbon-carbon single covalent bonds.

Alkanes are generally unreactive. Alkanes contain only C–H

and C–C bonds, which are relatively strong and difficult to
break.
As they are unreactive, alkanes are also called paraffin
 Naming alkanes

* The name of an alkane ends with ‘-ane’

 A homologous series is a family of organic
compounds with the same general formula and
functional group.
Properties:-

A functional group is an atom or group of

atoms that gives a molecules its characteristic
properties (the type of reactions it can undergo)
Structural formulas identify the location of chemical
bonds between the atoms of a molecule. A structural
formula consists of symbols for the atoms connected
by short lines that represent chemical bonds.

The full structural formula or displayed formula shows

all the bonds between the atoms in a molecule
Isomers are two molecules with the same molecular formula
but differ structurally.

Therefore, isomers contain the same number of atoms for

each element, but the atomic arrangement differs.

Despite having the same molecular formula, the physical properties of

each molecule may differ, particularly if the functional groups
associated with each molecule are different.
They have same molecular formula C4H10 but different structural
formula and physical properties.

Work to do: Draw the isomers of pentane (C5H12)

Alkyl Group
Alkyl group contains one less hydrogen than the
corresponding alkane.
General abbreviation “R” (for Radical, an incomplete species or
the “rest” of the molecule)

General formula: -CnH2n+1

In naming this group the “-ane” is dropped and “- yl” is added.

CH3 is “methyl” (from methane)
CH2CH3 is “ethyl” from ethane

Alkyl Group This group does not exist independently but occurs
bonded to another atom or molecule.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF ALKANES
Physical properties change down the series:
• Melting and boiling points increase
• Become more viscous
• Less flammable
CHEMICAL REACTIONS OF ALKANES
Alkanes are generally unreactive due to the strong bonds
within the compound which are difficult to break.
However, alkanes can undergo the following reactions:
• Combustion • Substitution reactions
Combustion:
General equation (complete combustion)
Alkane + oxygen carbon dioxide + water vapour
Example: CH4 + 2O2 CO2 + 2H20
++When there is insufficient supply of air or oxygen, incomplete
combustion occurs to give you carbon, carbon monoxide, carbon
dioxide and water vapour

Work to do: Write balance equation

1. Combustion of hexane (C6H14) 2. Combustion of heptane
(C7H16)
 Substitution reactions:-

Work to do: Write balance reaction when Pentane(C5H12) react with chlorine.
 ALKENES
Alkenes are a homologous series of hydrocarbons that
contain carbon-carbon double covalent bonds.

General formula: CnH2n

Alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons because they contain

carbon-carbon double covalent bonds.
 Naming alkenes
* The name of an alkene ends with ‘-ene’

Structural formula
 Isomerism in alkenes
They have same molecular formula C4H8 but different structural formula and physical
properties
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF ALKENES:-

Physical properties change down the series:

• Melting and boiling points increase
• Become more viscous
• Less flammable

CHEMICAL REACTIONS OF ALKENES :-

Alkenes are unsaturated compounds and generally reactive due to the carbon-
carbon double bonds which will readily undergo addition reactions. Alkene can
undergo the following reactions:
1. Combustion
2. Addition
• Hydrogenation (Addition of hydrogen)
• Bromination (Addition of bromine)
•Hydration (Addition of water)
• Addition polymerisation
Combustion reaction:-
Alkene + excess O2 → CO2 + H2O

e.g: C2H4 + 3O2 → 2CO2 + 2H2O

Work to do: Write balance equation
1. Combustion of hexene (C6H12) 2. Combustion of heptene (C7H14)

Addition reaction:-
Hydrogenation (Addition of hydrogen):-

Work to do: Write balance equation Hydrogenation of hexene

Bromination (Addition of bromine):-
Hydration (Addition of water):-
Addition polymerisation:-
Producing alkenes by cracking:-
CRACKING OF PETROLEUM
Cracking is the breaking down of long-chain hydrocarbons into
smaller molecules.
This is done by passing the petroleum fraction over a catalyst at a
high temperature
Long chain alkanes alkenes + alkanes or hydrogen gas

C6H14 C4H10 + C2H4 or

C6H14 C6H12 + H2

Conditions: High temperature of 600 C Aluminium

oxide Al2O3 and Silicon dioxide (SiO2) as catalysts
Work to do:-1.Cracking of C12H26 to produce alkane and alkene. 2. Cracking of C8H18 to
produce H2 gas
Comparing alkanes and alkenes:-
FATS AND OILS
Polyunsaturated fats or oils contain more than one carbon-carbon double bond.

Fats are solids at room temperature and pressure as they contain mostly saturated fat
molecules.

Oils are liquids at room temperature and pressure as they contain mostly unsaturated fat
molecules.