Lesson 21.

Alkanes

General Chemistry 1
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
What comes into mind when you hear the term
‘organic’?

2
For a usual
conversation, the term
organic refers to
natural. For example,
when you buy organic
fruits or vegetables,
these fresh products
are grown without
artificial fertilizers.
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In science, however, the
term organic refers to a
type of compound
containing carbon.
Organic compounds
can be categorized
depending on their
composition and
nomenclature.
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 In this lesson, you will get to know the general
characteristics of organic compounds and their functional
groups. Also, hydrocarbons, a type of organic compound,
will be introduced in this lesson. Specifically, the structural
and molecular formulas of alkanes and their examples and
uses are emphasized throughout the discussion.

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What are the general
characteristics of organic
compounds?

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 Learning Competencies
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to do the following:

● List the general characteristics of organic

compounds (STEM_GC11OC-IIg-j-85).

● Describe the different functional groups

(STEM_GC11OC-IIg-j-87).

● Describe structural isomerism; give examples

(STEM_GC11OC-IIg-j-89).
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 Learning Competencies
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to do the following:

● Cite uses of representative examples of

compounds bearing the different functional
groups (STEM_GC11OC-IIg-j-88).

● Describe some simple reactions of organic

compounds: combustion or organic fuels,
addition, condensation, and saponification of fats
(STEM_GC11OC-IIg-j-90).
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 Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to do the following:

● Identify the general characteristics of organic

compounds.

● Describe the different functional groups.

● Discuss the structural isomerism, properties, and

naming of alkanes.

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 Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to do the following:

● Enumerate examples of alkanes and their uses.

● Describe simple chemical reactions that alkanes

undergo.

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 Organic Compounds

● carbon-containing compounds
that are covalently bonded to
other carbon and hydrogen
atoms
● may also be bonded with
other elements such as O, N, S,
P, or a halogen.

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 Organic Compounds

Organic Chemistry
● the branch of science that deals with the study of
carbon compounds

Inorganic Carbon Compounds

● carbon-containing ionic compounds.
● e.g., carbides, carbonates, cyanides, and cyanates.

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 Special Nature of Carbon

● in Group 4A of the periodic table

● electron configuration: [He] 2s2 2p2
● has four valence electrons that form covalent bonds
● formation of a carbon ion (C+ or C–) requires higher
energy under ordinary conditions
● shares electrons to satisfy the octet rule

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Special Nature of Carbon

The location of carbon in the periodic table also shows its unique
properties to react with both metals and nonmetals. 14
 Special Nature of Carbon

Catenation
● the ability to bond to itself
● allows carbon to form a
multitude of chemically and
thermally stable chains, ring,
and branched compounds.

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What makes carbon unique
in terms of the formation of
organic compounds?

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 General Characteristics of Organic
Compounds
Organic Example: Inorganic Example:
Property
Compound C3H8 Compound NaCl
Most metals
Elements C and H C and H and Na and Cl
nonmetals
Four single
Mostly
Bonding bonds to Mostly ionic Ionic
covalent
each C

Type of
Molecular Molecular Mostly ionic Ionic
compound 17
 General Characteristics of Organic
Compounds
Organic Example: Inorganic Example:
Property
Compound C3H8 Compound NaCl

Melting point Usually low –188 0C Usually high 801 0C

Boiling point Usually low –42 0C Usually high 1413 0C

Does not
Flammability High Burns in air Low
burn

Solubility in Not usually Most are

No Yes
water soluble soluble
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Remember

Carbon compounds may be categorized

as organic or inorganic. Organic carbon
compounds contain C and H atoms that
are covalently bonded, while inorganic
carbon compounds contain anions with
C atoms that are bonded ionically.

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 Functional Groups

● Organic compounds are organized according to their

functional groups, or specific groups of atoms that
undergo characteristic chemical reactions
● In most cases, the reaction of an organic compound
takes place at the functional group.
● Organic compounds with the same functional group
have similar properties and reactions.

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Functional Groups

Name of General Functional

Suffix
Family Formula Group

alkane RH none –ane

alkene R2C ＝ CR2 –ene

alkyne RC☰CR —C☰C— –yne

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Functional Groups

Name of General Functional

Suffix
Family Formula Group

alcohol ROH –OH –ol

thiol RSH –SH –thiol

None (all ethers

ether RCR –O– end with the
word ether) 22
 Functional Groups

Name of General Functional

Suffix
Family Formula Group

aldehyde –al

ketone –one

carboxylic
–oic acid
acid
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What are hydrocarbons?

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 Hydrocarbons

● the simplest type of organic compound composed of a

large group of substances containing only C and H
atoms
● vary enormously in structure and function, ranging
from the simple molecule methane, CH4, to large,
complex biochemical molecules such as proteins
● 4 types: alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, aromatics

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 Hydrocarbons

● Common examples of Liquefied

hydrocarbon mixtures are Petroleum
Gas (LPG)
fuels like natural gas and
gasoline.
● benzene, ethylene, and
acetylene → essential
precursor reactants used to
make other compounds. Fuel

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 Hydrocarbons

● Maximum of four single bonds, or two double bonds,

or two single and one double bond, or one single and
one triple bond, can be formed by each C atom.
● Arrangement of C atoms → skeleton
● Groups joined by a single bond can rotate

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Structure of Hydrocarbons

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How will you describe the
structural features of
alkanes?

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 Alkanes

● the simplest among the types of hydrocarbons

● hydrocarbons that contain only single bonds
● general formula of CnH2n+2, where n is a positive
integer.
○ e.g., if n = 5, the formula is C5H12

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 Alkanes

● comprise a homologous series, one in which each

member differs from the next by a —CH2—
(methylene) group
● each C is sp3 hybridized
● saturated hydrocarbons
○ bonded to as many hydrogen atoms as possible
○ each C is bonded to the maximum number of other
atoms such as C or H
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 Naming Alkanes

prefix + ROOT + suffix

● root = no. of C in the longest continuous chain

● suffix = type of organic compound
○ for alkanes, the suffix used is –ane.
● prefix = group attached to the main chain and the
number of the carbon at which it is attached
○ same as the root names but have –yl as their ending

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Naming Alkanes

Roots No. of C atoms Roots No. of C atoms

meth– 1 hex– 6
eth– 2 hept– 7
prop– 3 oct– 8
but– 4 non– 9
pent– 5 dec– 10
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Naming Alkanes

hexane 2-methylbutane 3-ethylpentane

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Depicting Alkanes with Formulas and
Models

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Depicting Alkanes with Formulas and
Models

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 Depicting Alkanes with Formulas and
Models

Cyclic Hydrocarbons
● a hydrocarbon that contains one or more rings in its
structure

Cycloalkanes
● when the C—C bond forms to join the two ends of the
chain to form a ring, the two H atoms are lost
● general formula of CnH2n

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Cycloalkanes

cyclopropane cyclopentane cyclohexane

(C3H6) (C5H10) (C6H12)

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 Constitutional Isomerism in Alkanes

Isomers
● two or more compounds having the same molecular
formula but different arrangements of atoms
● differ in chemical reactivity and one or more physical
properties
● In most organic compounds, several types of
isomerism are possible.

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 Constitutional Isomerism in Alkanes

Constitutional Isomers
● also known as structural isomers
● compounds with the same molecular formula but
differ in the order in which their atoms are bonded

● Alkanes have constitutional isomers.

○ no. of C atoms is the same, but their skeletons differ

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 Constitutional Isomerism in Alkanes

● e.g., C4H10
Molecular Condensed Structural Physical Properties
Formula Formula Formula

Melting point: –138 0C

butane
CH3CH2CH2CH3 Boiling point: –0.5 0C
C4H10
Density: 0.579 g/mL

2-methyl CH3 Melting point: –145 0C

propane | Boiling point: –11.6 0C
C4H10 CH3—CH—CH3 Density: 0.549 g/mL
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 Common Examples of Alkanes: Uses and
Chemical Reactions

Methane, CH4
● a natural gas
● used for heating and
cooking purposes and
power utilities, such as
gas turbines
● a very light gas that
readily burns in the air,
producing CO2 and H2O
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 Common Examples of Alkanes: Uses and
Chemical Reactions

Butane, C4H10
● used as a fuel for small grilling
stoves, cigarette lighters,
portable torches, and small
space heaters
● combined with propane (C3H8)
as a liquefied petroleum gas
(LPG)
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 Common Examples of Alkanes: Uses and
Chemical Reactions

Higher Alkanes
● alkanes with 17 to 35 carbon
atoms
● raw materials for lubricating
oils
● anti-corrosive agents
● paraffin wax in candles
● used in asphalt (bitumen), a
black viscous mixture used for
road surfacing 44
 Check Your Understanding

Write the molecular formula of each alkane given its

number of C atoms.
Number of C atoms Molecular Formula

3
5
6
8
12 45
 Check Your Understanding

Draw the bond-line notation for the following alkanes.

Alkanes Structural Formula

propane
butane
pentane
3-methylpentane
2,3-dimethylhexane 46
 Let’s Sum It Up!

● Carbon-containing compounds that are covalently

bonded to other carbon and hydrogen atoms are
known as organic compounds. These compounds
may also be bonded with other elements such as
sulfur, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, or a halogen.

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 Let’s Sum It Up!

● Organic compounds are organized according to their

functional groups, or specific groups of atoms that
undergo characteristic chemical reactions.

● Hydrocarbons are the simplest type of organic

compound composed of a large group of substances
containing only C and H atoms.

48
 Let’s Sum It Up!

● Alkanes are hydrocarbons that contain only single

bonds. Alkanes have a general formula of CnH2n+2,
where n is a positive integer.
○ The name of each chain, branch, or ring is based on
the number of C atoms. The three portions in
naming the alkane are prefix + root + suffix.
○ There are different ways that chemists use to depict
alkanes. Some of these are through expanded,
condensed, and skeletal formulas.
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 Let’s Sum It Up!

● Isomers are two or more compounds having the same

molecular formula but different arrangements of
atoms.
○ Constitutional isomers (also known as structural
isomers) are compounds with the same molecular
formula but differ in the order in which their atoms
are bonded.
○ The number of constitutional isomers of alkane
increases rapidly as the number of carbon atoms
increases too. 50
 Let’s Sum It Up!

● Alkanes, being the simplest class of hydrocarbons, are

important raw materials in the chemical industry.
These organic compounds are also the main
constituent of fuels and lubricants.

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Challenge Yourself

What is the condensed formula of the

alkane with the given structure?

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