Homologous Series

A series of organic compounds with similar

chemical properties, in which each member differ
by CH2 is called the homologous series.
 Homologous General Example Functional
series formula group

Alkanes CnH2n + 2 CH4

Alkyl CnH2n + 1 CH3
Alkenes CnH2n C2H4 C=C
Alkynes CnH2n − 2 C2H2 C≡C
Alcohols CnH(2n + 1)OH CH4O - OH
Carboxylic acid CnH2n+1COOH CH2O2 - COOH
Ester RCOOR’
Alkanes :

CnH2n+2 , n = 1,2,3,….
A)IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)
– is used to name organic compound.

Organic compound is divided into three portions which is Prefix + Root + Suffix.
1.Prefix – name of the branch or side chain.

General formula: CnH2n+1 –Where n = 1, 2, 3, … (n = number of carbon)

Alkyl group signifies that it is not part of the main chain.

Formula Branch or name  of group

CH3 - methyl
C2H5 - ethyl
C3H7 - propyl
C4H9 - butyl
C5H11 - pentyl
Two or more types of branches are present, name them in
alphabetical order.
More than one side chains are present, prefixes are used.

Number of side chain Prefix

2 Di-

3 Tri-

4 Tetra-

5 Penta-

6 Hexa-
2.Root – the parent hydrocarbon (denotes the longest carbon chain).

•The longest continuous (straight chain) carbon chain is selected.

•Identify the number of carbon.

Number of carbon Root name

atoms
1 meth-
2 eth-
3 prop-
4 but-
5 pent-
6 hex-
7 hept-
8 oct-
9 nan-
10 dec-
3. Suffix – functional group.

Homologous Functional Suffix

series group

Alkane -C–C- -ane

Alkene -C=C- -ene
Alcohol – OH -ol
Carboxylic acid – COOH -oic

Ester – COO – -oate

Prefix + Root + Suffix

Naming Alkanes
IUPAC rules :
Choose the longest continuous carbon chain as
the parent chain. Carbon atoms are numbered
starting from whichever end that gives the lower
value for the 1st substituent.
Prefix di-, tri-, tetra,…is used to indicate the same
substituents in the molecule.
Substituents are named in the order of increasing
size or in alphabetical order.
.

Physical Properties of Alkane

Name Molecular RMM Density Physical state at
formula (g cm-3) 25°C

Methane CH4 16 - Gas

Ethane C2H6 30 - Gas

Propane C3H8 44 - Gas

Butane C4H10 58 - Gas

Pentane C5H12 72 0.63 Liquid

Hexane C6H14 86 0.66 Liquid

Heptane C7H16 100 0.68 Liquid

Octane C8H18 114 0.70 Liquid

Nonane C9H20 128 0.72 Liquid

Decane C10H22 142 0.73 Liquid

 Name Formula Number of isomers
Methane CH4
Ethane C 2H 6
gas
Propane C 3H 8
Butane C4H10 2
Pentane 3
C5H12
Hexane 5
C6H14
Heptane 9
Octane C7H16 18
Nonane C8H18 35
Decane C9H20 75
liquid
Undecane C10H22 159
Dodecane C11H24 355
Tridecane C12H26 802
Tetradecane 1858
C13H28
Pentadecane 4347
C14H30
Eicosane solid 360000
C H
Physical
Name
Properties
Physical Density Solubility in Electrical
State (g cm−3) water conductivity
Methane
Ethane gas
Propane Insoluble in Cannot
Butane water conduct
Pentane 0.63 electricity
Hexane 0.66
Heptane liquid 0.68
Octane 0.70
Nonane 0.72
Decane 0.73
.

Physical Properties of Alkane

Solubility in water – all members in alkanes are insoluble in water
but soluble in many organic solvent (benzene and ether).

Density of alkane – the density of water is higher than density of

alkane.
When going down the series, relative molecular mass of alkanes is
higher due to the higher force of attraction between molecules and
alkane molecules are packed closer together.

Electrical conductivity – all members in alkanes do not conduct

electricity.
Alkanes are covalent compounds and do not contain freely moving
ions.

Boiling and melting points – all alkanes in general have low

boiling points and melting points.
Alkanes are held together by weak intermolecular forces.
Chemical properties of Alkane
Reactivity of alkanes
Alkanes are less reactive (saturated hydrocarbon).
Alkanes have strong carbon-carbon (C – C) bonds
and carbon-hydrogen (C – H) bonds.
All are single bonds which require a lot of energy to
break.
Alkanes do not react with chemicals such as
oxidizing agents, reducing agents, acids and alkalis.
Chemical properties of Alkane
Substitution reaction of alkanes
(Halogenation)
Substitution reaction is one atom (or a group
of atoms) in a molecule is replaced by
another atom (or a group of atoms).
Substitution reaction of alkanes take place in
ultraviolet light.
Example:
Alkanes react with bromine vapour (or chlorine) in
the presence of UV light.
CH4 + Cl2 –> HCl + CH3Cl (Chloromethane)
CH3Cl + Cl2 –> HCl + CH2Cl2 (Dichloromethane)
CH2Cl2 + Cl2 –> HCl + CHCl3 (Trichloromethane)
CHCl3 + Cl2 –> HCl + CCl4 (Tetrachloromethane)

The rate of reaction between bromine and alkanes

is slower than the rate of reaction between chlorine
and alkanes
Combustion of Alkanes
Combustion of alkanes
Complete combustion of hydrocarbons
CxHy + (x + y/4) O2 –> xCO2 + y/2 H2O
CH4 +        2O2 –>  CO2 +    2H2O

Incomplete combustion
occurs when insufficient supply of oxygen
CH4 + O2 –> C + H2O
2CH4 + 3O2 –> 2CO + 4H2O
Isomers
Butane, C4H10
(A)

(B)