11.

0 ALKANES

3RD HOUR
11.4 Physical properties of alkanes

11.5 Chemical properties of alkanes

(a) Unreactivity of alkanes
(b) Combustion of alkanes
At the end of this lecture, students should
be able to:
compare boiling points of alkanes
- based on molecular weight
- isomeric alkanes
solubilty of alkanes
non-reactivity of alkanes

free radical substitution reaction

(Monosubstitution of alkanes)
11.4 Physical properties

1. Physical state

At 25oC and 1 atm. (s.t.p),

the first four members - gases;

C5 C17 are liquids;

alkanes with n >18 are solids.

2. Boiling point

1.The boiling points of the unbranched

alkanes increase with increasing
molecular masses.
Molecular mass , surface area
=> van der Waals forces
=> boiling point
2. Isomeric alkanes
Boiling point linear alkanes >
branching alkanes

A branched alkane is more

spherical and has a smaller
surface area than an
unbranched alkane
 CH3CH2CH2CH2CH3 b.p. =
Example
36oC C5H12
(pentane)

CH3CHCH2CH3 b.p. = 28oC

|
CH3
(2-methylbutane)
CH3
|
CH3 C CH3 b.p. = 10oC
| More branched, b.p.
CH3
(2,2-dimethylpropane)
3. Solubility
Alkanes and cycloalkanes are
insoluble in water because they
are nonpolar molecules and
unable to form hydrogen bond.
Liquid alkanes and cycloalkanes
are soluble in one another, and
they generally dissolve in
nonpolar solvents like benzene,
carbon tetrachloride, chloroform,
and other organic solvents.
Quiz 1:

Arrange the following in an increasing

order of boiling points:

2,3-dimethylbutane; n-hexane;

2-methylpentane
Quiz 2 :

Arrange the following in

decreasing order of boiling points:

P: CH3(CH2)2CH3
Q: CH3(CH2)3CH3
R: (CH3)2CHCH3
S: (CH3)4C
T: (CH3)2CHCH2CH3
11.5 CHEMICAL REACTION OF ALKANES

Alkanes are not reactive towards polar

reagents.
the C-H bond is not polarised (have
nearly the same electronegativity)
4 single bonds, all e- have been
used up
Thus, alkanes have no reactions with
acids, bases, oxidising agents or
reducing agents.
However, alkanes can react with non-
polar substances such as oxygen or
A. Reaction with oxygen
(combustion)

All alkanes undergo complete combustion

to form CO2 and H2O
The general equation for complete
combustion is:

2CnH2n+2 + (3n+1)O2 2(n+1)H2O +

Examples;
2nCO2
CH4 + 2O2 CO2 + 2H2O

C2H6 + 7/2 O2 2CO2 + 3H2O

In the presence of limited amount of
oxygen, carbon monoxide is formed, as
shown below for methane:

2CH4 + 3O2 2CO + 4H2O

Alkanes usually burn in excess oxygen

with a non-luminous flame and very
little soot.
 Summary

Alkanes with greater molecular

weight has a higher boiling point.
Alkanes with more branches have
lower boiling points.
Alkanes are soluble in non-polar
solvent.
Complete combustion of alkane
produce CO2 and H2O.
Note
Note
Note