Introduction to Hydrocarbons
ALKANES | |||
Alkanes are open chain saturated hydrocarbons (aliphatic hydrocarbons) in which all carbon atoms are bonded to each other by single covalent bond. Each carbon is tetrahedrally surrounded by H-atoms . Since all the valencies of carbon atoms are fully utilized by sigma bond with H-atoms therefore, they are also known as “SATURATED HYDROCARBONS”. | |||
GENERAL FORMULA: CnH2n+2 | |||
where, n=number of C-atoms | |||
EXAMPLES : methane , ethane, propane , butane etc. TYPE OF REACTIONS: Characteristic reactions of alkanes are “substitution reactions”. | |||
alkanes are relatively chemically inert to some extent that’s why they are also called “PARAFFINS“. | |||
ALKENES | |||
Alkenes are open chain unsaturated hydrocarbons in which a carbon-carbon bond is a double covalent bond. GENERAL FORMULA : CnH2n Where, n=number of carbon atoms and n is greater than 1. They are very reactive organic compounds due to the presence of PI-BOND. They are also known as “OLEFINS” . TYPE OF REACTIONS: Characteristic reactions of alkenes are “addition reactions”. EXAMPLES : ethene, propene etc. | |||
ALKYNES | |||
Alkynes are open chain unsaturated hydrocarbons in which one bond between any two carbon atoms is a triple covalent bond. GENERAL FORMULA: CnH2n-2 Where, n=number of C-atoms and n is greater than 1. Alkynes are more unsaturated hydrocarbons than alkenes. They are also very reactive compounds. TYPE OF REACTIONS: Characteristic reactions of alkynes are “addition reactions”. EXAMPLES : ethyne, propyne etc. |