Alkanes

1. General Formula : CnH2n+2 (number of atoms, n = 1,2,3......)

2. They are saturated hydrocarbons;
each carbon atom is bonded to four other atoms by
single covalent bonds.
3. The members of the family, ending with name ane.
Number of
carbon atoms
(n)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Name

Molecular formula
CnH2n+2

Methane
Ethane
Propane
Butane
Pentane
Hexane
Heptane
Octane
Nonane
Decane

C1H2x1+2 = CH4
C2H2x2+2 = C2H6
C3H2x3+2 = C3H8
C4H2x4+2 = C4H10
C5H2x5+2 = C5H12
C6H2x6+2 = C6H14
C7H2x7+2 = C7H16
C8H2x8+2 = C8H18
C9H2x9+2 = C9H20
C10H2x10+2 = C10H22

Molar
mass
(g mol-1)
16
30
44
58
72
86
100
114
128
142

Physical
state at room
temperature
Gas
Gas
Gas
Gas
Liquid
Liquid
Liquid
Liquid
Liquid
Liquid

4. Structural formulae of alkanes

Name

No. of
isomers

Methane
CH4

Ethane,
C2H6

Propane,
C3H8
0

Structural formulae and Name

HCH

H
H H

HCCH

H H
H H H

HCCCH

H
Butane,
C4H10

H H H H

HCCCCH

H H H H
n-butane

H
H
H

H C C C H

H HCH H

2 - methyl propane
Pentane,
C5H12

H H H H H

HCCCCCH

H H H H H

n-pentane
H
H
H H

H C C C C H

H HCH H H

H
2-methyl butane

H HCH H

H C C C H

H HCH H

2,2-dimetyl propane

Hexane,
C6H14

H H H H H H

HCCCCCCH

H H H H H H n-hexane
H
H
H H H

H C C C C C H

H HCH H H H

H
2 - methyl pentane
H H
H
H H

H C C C C C H

H H HCH H H

3 - methyl pentane
H

H
H H C H H H
H
H
H H CH
H
C
C

C C H
H C C
C
C H
H
HCH
H
H

H HCH
H - dimethyl
H butane
2,2
H 2,3 - dimethyl butane
H

Physical Properties
Physical properties of alkanes
i.
cannot conduct electrity
ii.
less dense than water
iii.
dissolve in organic solvents, insoluble in water
iv.
low melting and boiling points
Conclusion:
- molecule held together by weak intermolecular forces
- properties of covalent compound
- gradually steady increase as the number of carbon in alkane
increases
6. Steps to name branched alkanes;
i.
determined and named the long chains
ii.
determined and named the branch chain
CH3
: methyl
C2H5 OR
CH2CH3
: ethyl
C3H7 OR
CH2CH2CH3 : prophyl
iii.
give number to the carbon atoms in long chain, which started from the nearest
branched
iv.
The number for carbon atom which branched emerged from, must put before/infront
the alkyl
v.
Named the branched first, followed by the named of long chains
The word di, tri is used if the branched chains is more than one
Chemical Properties
Reactivity of alkanes
1. Not reactive/unreactive because saturated hydrocarbon
2. Did not decolourized purple solution of acidified potassium manganate(VII)
3. Did not decolourized reddish brown solution of bromine water
4. Neutral.
Combustion of alkanes
1. In the presence of sufficient oxygen, alkanes burns to form carbon dioxide and water.
complete combustion
Chemical equation:
i. CH4 + 2O2 CO2 + 2H2O
ii.

C2H6

iii.

C4H10 + 13/2 O2

4CO2

C6H14

iv.

+ 7/2

O2

+ 19/2 O2

2CO2

+ 3H2O
+

6CO2

5H2O
7H2O

2. If there is insufficient oxygen, carbon monoxide or carbon

may be formed incomplete combustion
i.

CH4 + 3/2 O2

CO + 2H2O

2CH4 + 3 O2

2CO + 4H2O

ii. CH4 + O2 C + 2H2O

Halogenation
1. The reaction is between alkane dan chlorine.
2. Takes place under sunlight/ultra violet light.
3. Carbon-hydrogen bonds broken and new carbon-halogen bonds
are formed. One or more hydrogen atoms in alkanes molecule may be subtituted by halogen.
4. Halogenation is substitution reaction.
Chlorination of methane
First stage;

H C H +Cl-Cl

H
|
H C Cl + HCl
|
H monochloromethane

Second stage;

H C Cl +

Cl2

Cl
|
H C Cl + HCl
|
H dichloromethane

Cl
|
H C Cl + HCl
|
Cl trichloromethane

Cl
|
Cl C Cl + HCl
|
Cl tetrachloromethane

Third stage ;

Cl

H C Cl +

Cl2

Fourth stage;

Cl

H C Cl +

Cl

Cl2

Overall equation/chemical equation

CH4 + 4Cl2
CCl4 + 4HCl

Alumina, Al2O3
C9H20 (ce) C2H6 (g) + C7H14 (g)
Panas
Nonana
Etana
Heptena
Alumina, Al2O3
C9H20 (ce) C2H6 (g) + C7H14 (g)
Panas
Nonana
Etana
Heptena