Alkanes: Properties, Applications, and Chemical Reactions

Alkane

a hydrocarbon containing only single covalent bonds

An alkane is a hydrocarbon with only single bonds between carbon atoms. They have the general formula CnH2n+2. Alkanes are sometimes referred to as saturated hydrocarbons because they are fully saturated with hydrogen atoms and cannot bond with any additional atoms. They are typically unreactive, nonpolar, and have low boiling points.

Alkanes are widely used as fuels due to their high energy content and clean burning properties. They are also used as solvents, lubricants, and in the production of plastics, rubber, and other chemicals. The simplest alkane is methane (CH4) which is the primary component of natural gas. Other examples of common alkanes include ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), and butane (C4H10).

Alkanes can undergo a variety of chemical reactions such as combustion, halogenation, and cracking. Combustion occurs when an alkane reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water. Halogenation involves the substitution of hydrogen atoms with halogens (such as chlorine or bromine). Cracking is a process in which larger hydrocarbons are broken down into smaller ones through high temperatures and pressures.

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