ALKANES

NAME STRUCTURAL MOLECULAR USE

FORM FORM
METHANE CH4 The largest amount of
methane produced is used
for heating purposes.
ETHANE C2H6 Ethane is being used as
heating fuel. 

PROPANE C3H8 Propane is an important

raw material in
petrochemistry. However,
its main use is as starting
material for the
generation of ethylene
and propylene
BUTANE C4H10 Butane is an important
feedstock for the
petrochemical industry.
PENTANE C5H12 In addition to being used
as a solvent, n-pentane is
utilized as a foaming
agent in the preparation of
phenolic resins and
polystyrene, as a
propellant for aerosol
sprays, as a filling of low-
temperature
thermometers, and as
reference compound in
gas chromatography.
HEXANE C6H14 Hexane is used for the
extraction of oils and fats,
as solvent and reaction
medium in the
preparation of plastics
and synthetic rubber
during the polymerization
process and as dilutent for
fast-drying laquers,
printing inks and glues.
HEPTANE C7H16 Heptane serves as a
solvent in the laboratory
and for fast-drying
lacquers and glues.
OCTANE C8H18 Octane is used for the
aromatization to xylenes
and ethylbenzene but
mainly as a solvent and in
azeotropic distillations.
NONANE C9H20 Nonane is used for the
preparation of tensides
and as a carrier in
distillation processes.
DECANE C10H22 Decane is used as a
solvent in organic
syntheses and in the
rubber and paper
industries.

ALKENES

NAME STRUCTURAL MOLECULAR USE

FORM FORM
ETHENE -It is used in the manufacture
of polythene.
-It is used to artificially ripen
fruits.
-Ethene is also used to form
other useful compounds like
ethylene glycol (an antifreeze
agent), oxyethylene flame,
ethanol etc.
PROPENE Almost two-thirds of
propylene is used to make
polypropylene, 2 a plastic
resin used to make apparel,
plastic squeeze bottles,
outdoor furniture and many
other products. Propylene
oxide is used to make
furniture, automotive parts,
boats and recreational
vehicles, appliances, solvents
and resins.
BUTENE Butene is used for the
production of a wide variety
of chemicals in the gasoline
and rubber processing areas.
More than half of the butenes
produced world-wide are
utilized as alkylate and
polymer gasoline. One third is
used without any conversion
as fuel, mainly as fuel gas or
 blendstock for gasoline.
PENTENE used as a pesticide, as an
additive to gasoline, and in the
manufacture of other
chemicals.
HEXENE It is used in fuels and to make
flavors, perfumes, dyes, and
plastic resins.
HEPTENE It is used in fuels and to make
flavors, perfumes, dyes, and
plastic resins.
OCTENE Octene is used in the
production of synthetic fatty
acids mainly used in synthetic
lubricants, plasticizers,
surfactants, polyethylene
comonomers, elastomers and
plastomers, and
agrochemicals.
NONENE used as a chemical
intermediate to produce
additives for lubricants, acids,
antioxidants, coatings, oxo-
alcohols, plastics, resins and
surfactants.
DECENE used in the production of
plasticizer alcohols and
polyalpha olefin (PAO)
mainly is used as high
performance synthetic
lubricant for automatic
transmission engines,
crankcase, aviation, industrial
gear systems and marine
applications.
UNDECENE It is used as a mild sex
attractant for various types of
moths and cockroaches, and
an alert signal for a variety of
ants.

ALKYNES
 NAME STRUCTURAL MOLECULAR USE
FORM FORM
ETHYNE It is used for artificially
ripening fruits. Ethyne is used
as an illuminant.
PROPYNE Propyne is produced by
thermal or catalytic pyrolysis
of propene. Like acetylene,
propyne is used as a welding
torch fuel, as a specialty fuel,
and chemical intermediate.
BUTYNE used in organic synthesis of
compounds and instrument
calibration.
PENTYNE Pentyne has been used in
preparation of:lithium
acetylides, required for
asymmetric synthesis of α,α-
dibranched propargyl
sulfinamides.
HEXYNE Hexyne is used for the
production of complex
molecules in the agrochemical,
pharmaceutical, and perfumery
industries.
HEPTYNE Heptyne is used in the
synthesis of (6Z,10E,12Z)-
octadeca-6,10,12-trienoic acid
and (8Z,12E,14Z)-eicosa-
8,12,14-trienoic acid.
OCTYNE Octyne is widely used in
organic reactions such as
halogenation, hydration,
oxidative cleavage,
hydrogenation,
hydrohalogenation, nitrile
formation, polymerization and
substitution reactions.
NONYNE Nonyne has been used in
enantioselective synthesis of
cladospolide B, C and (ent)-
cladospolide D.
DECYNE Decyne has been used to
stabilize ruthenium
nanoparticles by forming
ruthenium-vinylidene
interfacial bonds. It is also
used as primary and secondary
intermediates.
UNDECYNE Undecyne is used as a reagent
organic synthesis. Further, it is
used in the preparation of an
antimalarial and
antitrypanosomal agent.
Miscible with acetone, ether,
ethanol and benzene.