CHAPTER 2: CARBON COMPOUNDS

Alkanes
1. General Formula: CnH2n+2 (number of atoms, n = 1, 2, 3......)
2. They are saturated hydrocarbons as 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)

Name

Molecular formula
CnH2n+2

Molar
mass
(g mol-1)

Physical
state at
room
temperature

Methane

C1H2x1+2 = CH4

16

Gas

Ethane

C2H2x2+2 = C2H6

30

Gas

Propane

C3H2x3+2 = C3H8

44

Gas

Butane

C4H2x4+2 = C4H10

58

Gas

Pentane

C5H2x5+2 = C5H12

72

Liquid

Hexane

C6H2x6+2 = C6H14

86

Liquid

Heptane

C7H2x7+2 = C7H16

100

Liquid

Octane

C8H2x8+2 = C8H18

114

Liquid

Nonane

C9H2x9+2 = C9H20

128

Liquid

10

Decane

C10H2x10+2 = C10H22

142

Liquid

Consecutive members different in molar mass is 14 g mol-1

4. Structural formulae of alkanes

Name
Methane

No. of
isomers
0

Structural formulae and Name

HCH

CH4

Ethane,
C2H6

Propane,
C3H8

Butane,
C4H10

H H

HCCH

H H
H H H

HCCCH

H H H
H H H H

HCCCCH

H H H H
n-butane

H
H
H

H C C C H

H HCH H

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
1
2
3
4

H HCH H H

H
2-methyl butane

H HCH H

H C C C H

H HCH H

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

2 - methyl pentane

H H
H
H H

H C C C C C H

H H HCH H H

H
3 - methyl pentane
H

H HCH H H

H C C C C H

H HCH H H

H
2,2 - dimethyl butane
H

H
H H CH
H

H C C C C H

H HCH H
H

H
2,3 - dimethyl butane

Physical Properties
Physical properties of alkanes
i.
cannot conduct electricity
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/in front the alkyl
v.
Named the branched first, followed by the name of long chains
The word di, tri is used if the branched chains is more than one
Reactivity of alkanes
1. Not reactive/unreactive because saturated hydrocarbon
2. Did not decolorized purple solution of acidified potassium manganate (VII)
3. Did not decolorized 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 + 7/2 O2 2CO2
+ 3H2O
iii.
C4H10 + 13/2 O2 4CO2 + 5H2O
iv.
C6H14 + 19/2 O2 6CO2 +
7H2O

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

may be formed incomplete combustion
i. 2CH4 + 3O2 2CO + 4H2O
ii. CH4 + O2 C + 2H2O
Halogenation
1. The reaction is between alkane and 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

Third stage ;

Cl

H C Cl +

Cl2

Fourth stage;

Cl

H C Cl +

Cl

Cl2

Cl
|
Cl C Cl + HCl
|
Cl tetrachloromethane

Overall equation/chemical equation

CH4 + 4Cl2
CCl4 + 4HCl

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