Organic Chemistry

CHAPTER 8
Alkanes

Page 84
Hydrocarbons
A hydrocarbon is an organic chemical
compound composed exclusively of
hydrogen and carbon atoms.

The general formula of hydrocarbons is:

𝐂𝐱 𝐇𝐲
Aliphatic Hydrocarbons

Aliphatic hydrocarbons are organic molecules made up of open carbon chains

(linear or branched).
Aliphatic Hydrocarbons

Based on the type of the covalent bonds in the carbon chain; aliphatic hydrocarbons
can be classified into saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons as follows:

1- Alkanes: the carbon chain contains single (simple) covalent only (saturated).

2- Alkenes: the carbon chain contains at least one double covalent bond (unsaturated).

3- Alkynes: the carbon chain contains at least one triple covalent bond (unsaturated).
Alkanes
❖ Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons since their carbon-chain contains
single (simple) covalent bonds only: C − C and C − H

❖ Alkanes can be either linear or branched.

n natural positive number
❖ the general formula of alkanes is: Cn H2n+2 indicates the number of carbon
atoms in the molecule.
Example:
write the formula of an alkane with 2 carbon atoms:
Solution:
Number of carbons (n) = 2 → 2n+2 = 2(2)+2 = 6

the chemical formula: C2 H6

Systematic Nomenclature of Organic Compounds

Number of carbons Root name

1 Meth-
2 Eth-
According to the IUPAC; 3 Prop-
The number of carbon 4 But-
atoms in the main 5 Pent-
carbon-chain is referred 6 Hex-
to by the root name. 7 Hept-
8 Oct-
9 Non-
10 Dec-

IUPAC: International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry.

Systematic Nomenclature of Organic Compounds

To indicate that we have an alkane,

we add the suffix –ane to the root.
Example:
What is the name and formula for an alkane with 5
carbon atoms?
Solution:
The general formula of alkanes is 𝐂𝐧 𝐇𝟐𝐧+𝟐
5 carbon atoms → n= 5
2n +2 = 2(5) +2 = 12
The chemical formula: C5 H12

• there are 5 carbon atoms in → the root is pent-

• it’s an alkane we add –ane → pentane
Physical Properties of Alkanes

1- Solubility:

• Alkanes are soluble in each other and in organic solvents and insoluble in
water.

• The longer the carbon chain, the weaker is the solubility in water.
Physical Properties of Alkanes

2- Boiling Points and Melting Points:

In general the boiling points and melting
points increase as the number of the
carbons atoms increases. Thus as the
molar mass increases.

3- Physical States:

• 𝐂𝟏 ՜ 𝐂𝟒 : gases

• 𝐂𝟓 ՜ 𝐂𝟏𝟔 : liquids.
• over 𝐂𝟏𝟔 : solids.
Chemical Properties of Alkanes

Alkanes are the least reactive class of all organic compounds because all
their bonds are strong carbon-carbon( C - C) and carbon-hydrogen (C - H)
bonds. Therefore; alkanes are considered to be relatively stable.

C-C
bond
C-H
bond
Chemical Properties of Alkanes
Alkanes can undergo very few reactions such as:

1- Combustion (destruction by oxygen: destructive oxidation)

Combustion reactions occurs in the presence of oxygen; the complete
reactions produces carbon dioxide, water and energy in form of heat.

combustion of methane CH4 + O2 CO2 + 2H2 O + Heat

7
combustion of ethane C2 H6 + O2 2 CO2 + 3 H2 O + Heat
2
Note:
In combustion reactions the carbons skeleton is completely destroyed, this
is why combustion reactions are described as destruction reactions.
Chemical Properties of Alkanes

Note:
In combustion reactions the carbons skeleton is completely destroyed, this
is why combustion reactions are described as destruction reactions.

The carbon skeleton is destroyed

Chemical Properties of Alkanes

2- Substitution Reactions (Replacement reactions):

In substitution reactions a hydrogen atom is replaced by another atom
or a group of atoms.

X
X + H-
Chemical Properties of Alkanes

2- Substitution Reactions (Replacement reactions):

Chlorination of methane:
Hydrogen atoms can be replaced by chlorine atoms, the reaction requires
energy in form of light (or heat) to initiate the reaction.
Chemical Properties of Alkanes

2- Substitution Reactions (Replacement reactions):

Chlorination of methane:
The reaction doesn’t stop at one hydrogen atom and can replace them all.
CH4