Alkanes (Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry: Double Science)
Revision Note
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Chemistry Lead
The Alkanes
- Alkanes are a group of saturated hydrocarbons
- The term saturated means that they only have single carbon-carbon bonds, there are no double bonds
- The general formula of the alkanes is CnH2n+2
- They are colourless compounds which have a gradual change in their physical properties as the number of carbon atoms in the chain increases
- Alkanes are generally unreactive compounds but they do undergo combustion reactions, can be cracked into smaller molecules and can react with halogens in the presence of light
- Methane is an alkane and is the major component of natural gas
Table of alkanes
Displayed formula | Name | Molecular formula |
methane | CH4 | |
ethane | C2H6 | |
propane | C3H8 | |
butane | C4H10 | |
pentane | C5H12 |
The first five members of the alkane homologous series
Exam Tip
For your exam, you need to be able to name, draw and give the appropriate formula for the first five alkanes.
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