Aliphatic compound

Aliphatic Compound

An Aliphatic Compound (pronunciation: /ˌælɪˈfætɪk kəmˈpaʊnd/) is a type of organic compound that consists of open chains of carbon atoms, or closed chain compounds that resemble the open chain compounds. They can be saturated, like alkanes, or unsaturated, like alkenes and alkynes.

Etymology

The term "Aliphatic" is derived from the Greek word "aleiphar" meaning oil, due to the oily nature of these compounds.

Types of Aliphatic Compounds

Aliphatic compounds can be classified into three types:

Alkanes: These are saturated hydrocarbons, meaning they contain only single bonds. They follow the general formula CnH2n+2.
Alkenes: These are unsaturated hydrocarbons that contain at least one carbon-carbon double bond. They follow the general formula CnH2n.
Alkynes: These are unsaturated hydrocarbons that contain at least one carbon-carbon triple bond. They follow the general formula CnH2n-2.

Properties of Aliphatic Compounds

Aliphatic compounds are typically non-polar and have a low solubility in water. However, they are soluble in non-polar solvents. They have lower boiling points than comparable aromatic compounds due to the absence of pi bonding.

Uses of Aliphatic Compounds

Aliphatic compounds have a wide range of uses in industries such as plastics, rubber, resins, fuels, detergents and pharmaceuticals. They are also used in the production of polymers and elastomers.