Alkanes in Organic Chemistry

These flashcards cover key concepts and vocabulary related to alkanes in organic chemistry.

Saturated Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons that contain only single bonds between carbon atoms.

Carbon

The element found in all organic compounds.

Sigma bond

A type of bond formed by the overlap of sp3 orbitals between two carbon atoms.

109.5º

The typical carbon-carbon bond angle in an open chain alkane. degrees….?

Valence shell electron pair repulsion theory

A theory that predicts the shapes of molecules based on electron pairs repelling each other.

Methane

The main component of natural gas.

Hexane

Among ethane, hexane, methane, and nonane, this compound is predicted to have the highest boiling point.

Isomers

Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structures.

3

The number of possible isomers for the molecular formula C5H12.

C6H14

The molecular formula for hexane.

Cycloalkanes

Compounds in which the atoms are joined in a ring.

C6H12

The molecular formula of cyclohexane.

Complete combustion of alkanes

Generates CO2 and H2O as products.

(CH3)2CH–

The condensed structural formula for isopropyl.

CnH2n+2

The general formula for alkanes.

Dichloro isomers

Refers to isomers of propane that have two chlorine atoms substituent.

C6H10

The molecular formula of cyclohexane.

2-chloro-5,5-difluorohexane

A compound represented by a specific structure with chlorine and fluorine substituents.