11053457
Task 2
Alkanes
Homologous series Alkanes
Structure
The alkanes comprise a series of compounds that are
composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms with single
covalent bonds. This group of compounds comprises a
homologous series with a general molecular formula of C
n H 2 n+2 , where equals any integer. Alkyl groups.
Use of Alkanes. Alkanes are important raw materials of
the chemical industry and the principal constituent of
Uses gasoline and lubricating oils. Natural gas mainly contains
methane and ethane and is used for heating and cooking
purposes and for power utilities (gas turbines).
Solid alkanes are normally soft, with low melting points.
These characteristics are due to strong repulsive forces
Physical properties generated between electrons on neighboring atoms,
which are in close proximity in crystalline solids. The
strong repulsive forces counterbalance the weak van der
Waals forces of attraction.
Reactions of Alkanes. Alkanes (the most basic of all
organic compounds) undergo very few reactions. The two
Reactions reactions of more importaces is combustion and
halogenation, (i.e., substitution of a single hydrogen on
the alkane for a single halogen) to form a haloalkane.