Organic Compounds - Alkanes

what type of carbon-carbon bonds do alkanes have?

single

what type of compounds are alkanes?

saturated compounds

name a use of alkanes

fuels

what is the general formula for alkanes?

C_nH_{2n + 2}

what series are the alkanes part of?

homologous series

what happens to boiling points as you move down the series of alkanes?

they increase as series increases (gradation of physical properties)

what are the side chains of alkanes called?

alkyl groups

what is the molecular formula of the methyl group?

CH₃

what is the molecular formula of the ethyl group?

C₂H₅

what is the molecular formula of the propyl group?

C₃H₇

what are the steps to naming alkane compounds?

1. longest carbon chain (alkyl group smallest number possible)

2. name chain

3. include alkyl group position

name the structural isomer of butane

methyl-propane

name the two structural isomers of pentane

1. 2-methyl-butane

2. 2,2-dimethyl-propane

what is the general rule for making a structural isomer?

remove a carbon from end of chain and add a methyl