Alkanes
saturated hydrocarbons with the general formula CnH2n+2
Alkanes are hydrocarbons that contain only single covalent bonds between carbon atoms. In other words, they are saturated hydrocarbons, meaning that each carbon atom in the molecule is bonded to four other atoms. The general formula for alkanes is CnH2n+2, where n represents the number of carbon atoms in the molecule.
Alkanes are usually found in fossil fuels such as natural gas, crude oil, and coal. They are also important in the chemical industry as raw materials for the production of various chemicals, such as plastics, solvents, and fuels.
The physical properties of alkanes depend on their molecular size and shape. As the size of the molecule increases, so does its boiling point and melting point. This is because larger molecules have more London dispersion forces, which require more energy to break. Alkanes are also nonpolar, which means they do not dissolve in polar solvents like water.
Alkanes can undergo several types of reactions including combustion, halogenation, and cracking. Combustion reactions occur when alkanes react with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water. Halogenation reactions occur when alkanes react with halogens, such as chlorine or bromine, to form alkyl halides. Cracking reactions involve breaking the carbon-carbon bonds in the molecule to obtain smaller molecules, which are then used as fuels or chemical feedstocks.
In summary, alkanes are hydrocarbons containing only single covalent bonds between carbon atoms, with the general formula CnH2n+2. They have various applications in the chemical industry and can undergo several types of reactions, including combustion, halogenation, and cracking.
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