Alkane
Alkane
Alkane (pronunciation: al-kane) is a type of hydrocarbon in which there are only single bonds between the carbon atoms. The general formula for alkanes is CnH2n+2.
Etymology
The term "alkane" is derived from the Greek word "alkanos," which means "long chain." It was first used in the 19th century by the German chemist August Wilhelm von Hofmann.
Structure and Properties
Alkanes are the simplest form of hydrocarbons. They consist of carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) atoms. The carbon atoms in an alkane are sp3 hybridized, meaning they form four bonds in a tetrahedral geometry. The bonds between the carbon atoms are single bonds, and each carbon atom is also bonded to enough hydrogen atoms to make up a total of four bonds per carbon atom.
Alkanes are nonpolar molecules, which means they are not soluble in water (a polar solvent), but they are soluble in nonpolar solvents. They are less dense than water and, therefore, float on the surface of water.
Types of Alkanes
Alkanes can be categorized into two types:
1. Straight-chain alkanes (or normal alkanes): These alkanes have all their carbon atoms linked in a straight chain. Examples include methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), and propane (C3H8).
2. Branched-chain alkanes: These alkanes have one or more carbon atoms connected to more than two other carbon atoms, creating a branching effect. An example is isobutane (C4H10).
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Alkane
- Wikipedia's article - Alkane
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