 Alkanes

Alkanes are a group of saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons. They only contain carbon and
hydrogen. All the carbon-carbon bonds are single bonds. Alkanes have a maximum number of
hydrogen atoms bonded to the carbon atoms. The simplest alkane is CH4 (methane) and the next
is C2H6 (ethane) followed by C3H8 (propane). The general formula for alkanes is CnH2n+2.

Nomenclature of Unbranched Alkanes

Organic compounds are named according to the IUPAC (the International Union of Pure and
Applied Chemistry) system. All members of the alkane series have names ending with -ane. The
first part (prefix) of the name of the alkane indicates the number of carbon atoms in the
molecule. Table below are the prefixes used and the names of the

Prefixes name of alkanes series

Molecular Formula of Alkanes

The molecular formula is a chemical formula that shows the actual number of elements present
in a molecule. However, it does not show the arrangement of the atoms in the molecule.
Steps to write the molecular formula of alkanes:

 Determine the number of carbon atoms in the straight-chain molecule of the alkane.
 Select a suitable prefix to show the number of carbon atoms.
 Add the suffix -ane.

Structural Formula of Alkanes

The structural formula is a chemical formula that shows the number of elements present as well
as the arrangement of the atoms and covalent bonds between the atoms in a molecule.

 Remember that each carbon atom has four single covalent bonds and each hydrogen atom
has only a single covalent bond.
 Write the carbon chain that contains the carbon atoms, e.g., propane

 Add hydrogen atoms to the carbon atoms so that each carbon atom has four single
covalent bonds.

 Physical Properties of Alkanes

Melting and Boiling Point of Alkanes

Alkanes are non-polar compounds. The intermolecular forces between the molecules are weak
Van der Waal's forces. Only a little energy is required to break the intermolecular forces.
Therefore, the melting and boiling points of alkanes are low.
The increase in the number of carbon atoms causes increases in the melting and boiling points.
This is due to the larger molecular size. When the molecular size is larger, the Van der Waal's
forces between the molecules become stronger. So, more energy is needed to break the
intermolecular forces.

Physical States of Alkanes

At room temperature, the first four alkanes exist in gaseous forms. The alkanes from C 5-C18 are
liquids at room temperature. This happens because the boiling points increase when the number
of carbon atom increases. Alkanes that contain more than 18 carbon atoms are solids.

Density of Alkanes

All alkanes are less dense than water. The density increases when the number of carbon atoms in
the alkanes increases. The density of a substance is the mass/volume. Therefore, when the
number of carbon atom increases, the molecular mass increases as well. This causes an increase
of intermolecular forces and the molecules are packed close together. Thus, the density increases
gradually when the number of carbon atoms increases.
Solubility of Alkanes

All members in the alkane series are insoluble in water. When an alkane is shaken with water in
a test tube, two layers of liquids will be formed. The top layer is the alkane due to its lower
density compared to water. Alkanes are soluble and miscible in organic solvents such as ether,
benzene, tetrachloromethane and so on.

Electrical Conductivity of Alkanes

Alkanes are non-conductors of electricity. This is because alkanes are simple covalent
compounds. Alkanes do not contain free moving ions.

 Chemical Properties of Alkanes

Alkanes are organic compounds which are unreactive. Alkanes are chemically inert to most
reagents at room temperature, for example, acids, alkalis and oxidizing reagents. All alkanes
have similar chemical properties due to their similar types of bonds. These are:

 C - C bond
 C - H bond

 Effects of Methane in Daily Life

Methane is mainly found in natural gas. It is also known as "marsh gas" because it is formed
from the bacterial decay of vegetable matter trapped in the marsh and peat swamps. It can be also
produced from decaying animal dung and from rubbish buried in landfills. The formation of
methane gas by the decomposition of organic matter may cause fires in landfills and peat
swamps.
However, methane is used as an important fuel. Besides, it can be used to produce synthesis gas
by reaction with steam. The synthesis gas is a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. It is
used to manufacture hydrogen for the Haber process to produce ammonia. Synthesis gas can also
be used to manufacture methanol and other organic compounds.