Exploring Alkanes: Saturated Hydrocarbons with Single Carbon-Carbon (C-C) Bonds

a hydrocarbon molecule that only contains single carbon-carbon (C-C) bonds

The hydrocarbon molecule that only contains single carbon-carbon (C-C) bonds is called a saturated hydrocarbon or an alkane

The hydrocarbon molecule that only contains single carbon-carbon (C-C) bonds is called a saturated hydrocarbon or an alkane. Alkanes are a class of hydrocarbons with the general formula CnH2n+2, where n represents the number of carbon atoms in the molecule.

The single C-C bonds in alkanes are known as sigma bonds. Sigma bonds are formed when two atomic orbitals overlap head-on, resulting in the sharing of electrons between the carbon atoms. These sigma bonds allow the carbon atoms to be connected in a straight chain or branched structure.

The simplest alkane is methane (CH4), which consists of a single carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms. Methane is a gas at room temperature and is the primary component of natural gas. As the number of carbon atoms in the molecule increases, the alkanes can exist in various physical states, from gases (such as methane and ethane) to liquids (such as pentane and hexane) and even solids (such as octane and nonane).

Saturated hydrocarbons, including alkanes, are called “saturated” because they contain the maximum number of hydrogen atoms bonded to each carbon atom. If any double or triple carbon-carbon bonds were present in the molecule, it would be classified as an unsaturated hydrocarbon.

Alkanes have several important applications. They are commonly used as fuels, such as in gasoline and diesel. They are also used as solvents, lubricants, and raw materials in the production of plastics, synthetic fibers, and other chemicals. Additionally, alkanes serve as a starting point for several chemical reactions, including combustion and substitution reactions.

In summary, a hydrocarbon molecule that only contains single carbon-carbon (C-C) bonds is called an alkane or a saturated hydrocarbon. These molecules are characterized by straight or branched chains of carbon atoms bonded with sigma bonds, and they have various applications in fuel, chemical production, and other industries.

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