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What are Alkanes?

     ---> a kind of chemical compounds, containing the Carbon and Hydrogen atoms. To distinguish it from other hydrocarbons using its structure, look for the single bond/s. In addition, its general formula is CnH2n+2.

 

Example: Showing Alkane structures-in the picture below, a circle was drawn to show the single bond between a Carbon and a Chlorine (hence, the single dash).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Types of alkanes:

 

1. Linear alkanes

    ---also called skeletal alkanes, the carbons are combined together to form a zigzag line similar to a snake. See picture of octane below: Each point of zigzag, including the ends, represents carbons. Notice that there aren't any extra lines over the chain, indicationg it an alkane.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Branched alkanes

      ---are derived from linear alkanes, but instead of having just a straight chain in their chemical structure, it is branched with one or more alkyl groups. Alkyl group is a group of carbon and hydrogen atoms attached to an alkane molecule.

 

3. Cycloalkanes

       ---carbons and hydrogens that are joined together in single bonds to form loops. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Want to find out how to name Alkanes? Watch this video, and learn:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference: http://study.com/academy/lesson/alkanes-definition-properties-formula-examples.html

Credits to: owners of the pictures and video