Alkanes (also known as paraffins or saturated hydrocarbons) are chemical compounds that consist only of the elements carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) (i.e., hydrocarbons), wherein these atoms are linked together exclusively by single bonds (i.e., they are saturated compounds) without any cyclic structure (i.e. loops). Alkanes belong to a homologous series of organic compounds in which the members differ by a constant relative molecular mass of 14.
Each carbon atom must have 4 bonds (either C-H or C-C bonds), and each hydrogen atom must be joined to a carbon atom (H-C bonds). A series of linked carbon atoms is known as the carbon skeleton or carbon backbone. In general, the number of carbon atoms is often used to define the size of the alkane (e.g., C2-alkane).
An alkyl group, generally abbreviated with the symbol R, is a functional group or side-chain that, like an alkane, consists solely of single-bonded carbon and hydrogen atoms, for example a methyl or ethyl group.
The simplest possible alkane (the parent molecule) is methane, CH4. There is no limit to the number of carbon atoms that can be linked together, the only limitation being that the molecule is acyclic, is saturated, and is a hydrocarbon. Saturated oils and waxes are examples of larger alkanes where the number of carbons in the carbon backbone tends to be greater than 10.
Alkanes are not very reactive and have little biological activity. Alkanes can be viewed as a molecular tree upon which can be hung the interesting biologically active/reactive portions (functional groups) of the molecule.
Alkenes are less reactive than alkenes because the π bond in alkenes is stronger and less polarizable than the σ bond in alkenes. This makes breaking the π bond in alkenes more energy-demanding, leading to lower reactivity compared to alkenes.
Alkenes are electron donating.
Terminal alkenes have a double bond at the end of the carbon chain, while internal alkenes have a double bond located within the carbon chain. This difference in double bond placement affects the reactivity and properties of the alkenes.
Alkynes are more acidic than alkenes and alkanes. Alkenes are more acidic than alkanes.
When alkenes react with KMnO4, they undergo oxidation to form diols or glycols.
Alkenes are less reactive than alkenes because the π bond in alkenes is stronger and less polarizable than the σ bond in alkenes. This makes breaking the π bond in alkenes more energy-demanding, leading to lower reactivity compared to alkenes.
Alkenes are electron donating.
Alkenes were first discovered by the French chemist Théophile-Jules Pelouze in 1834. He isolated the first alkene, ethylene, by heating ethanol with sulfuric acid.
Terminal alkenes have a double bond at the end of the carbon chain, while internal alkenes have a double bond located within the carbon chain. This difference in double bond placement affects the reactivity and properties of the alkenes.
Alkynes are more acidic than alkenes and alkanes. Alkenes are more acidic than alkanes.
Alkenes are hydrocarbons containing carbon-carbon double bonds. There are several different names for alkenes. Some examples are butane, pentene and octadiene.
Unsymmetrical alkenes is molecule which is an pair of ligands. The molecule has doubly bonded carbon.
When alkenes react with KMnO4, they undergo oxidation to form diols or glycols.
No, not all alkenes are gases. Alkenes can exist as gases, liquids, or solids depending on their molecular structure and size. For example, ethene (C2H4) is a gas at room temperature, while higher alkenes like octene (C8H16) are liquids.
The functional group of alkenes is the carbon-carbon double bond. This double bond is responsible for the unsaturation in alkenes, making them more reactive than alkanes. Alkenes are commonly involved in addition reactions due to the presence of this functional group.
No, the Tollen's Silver Mirror Test only confirms the presence of aldehydes.
alkenes