Alkanes

Alkanes

Alkanes (pronunciation: al-kayns) are a type of hydrocarbon compound that consists entirely of single-bonded carbon and hydrogen atoms and lack any other functional groups. They are the simplest kind of hydrocarbon compound.

Etymology

The term "alkane" originates from the Greek word "alkaia" meaning "alkali". It was first used in the 19th century to describe the series of hydrocarbons in which the carbon atoms are linked by single bonds.

Structure

Alkanes are made up of carbon atoms linked together by single bonds, with the remaining bonds being filled by hydrogen atoms. This structure is often referred to as a saturated hydrocarbon because it contains the maximum possible number of hydrogen atoms for a given number of carbon atoms.

Properties

Alkanes are generally non-reactive and are often used in chemical reactions as solvents or as starting materials. They are also typically colorless and odorless. The physical properties of alkanes, such as their boiling and melting points, increase with the number of carbon atoms in the molecule.

Classification

Alkanes can be classified into three main types:

• Linear alkanes or normal alkanes, which have a straight chain of carbon atoms.
• Branched alkanes, which have one or more carbon atoms connected to more than two other carbon atoms.
• Cyclic alkanes or cycloalkanes, which have a ring structure.

Uses

Alkanes have a wide range of uses in various industries. They are used as fuels, such as methane in natural gas, propane in bottled gas, and octane in gasoline. They are also used in the production of plastics, synthetic fibers, and pharmaceuticals.

Related Terms

• Hydrocarbon
• Saturated hydrocarbon
• Linear alkanes
• Branched alkanes
• Cyclic alkanes
• Methane
• Propane
• Octane

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Alkanes
• Wikipedia's article - Alkanes

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