What are hydrocarbons in which carbon atoms are connected by only single bonds in straight chains or branches?
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The hydrocarbons in which carbon atoms are connected by only single bonds in straight chains or branches are known as alkanes. Alkanes are also referred to as saturated hydrocarbons because they contain the maximum number of hydrogen atoms per carbon atom and thus, are saturated with hydrogen. Alkanes are the simplest forms of organic compounds and have the general molecular formula of CnH2n+2, where n represents the number of carbon atoms in the chain.
Alkanes can exist in various forms, with the simplest one being methane (CH4), which has only one carbon atom. Ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), butane (C4H10), pentane (C5H12), and hexane (C6H14) are the successive members of the alkane family. Alkanes are usually colorless, odorless, and non-polar compounds that have relatively low melting and boiling points.
Alkanes are used as fuels for engines and heating purposes because they combust readily in the presence of oxygen, producing carbon dioxide and water, which are the main constituents of the gaseous byproducts of combustion. They also serve as starting materials for the production of various chemicals, including plastics, synthetic fibers, detergents, and solvents.
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