Comparing properties of Alkanes and Alkenes

Similarities:
Properties
Solubility in water
Solubility in organic
solvent
Conductivity
Boiling and melting
point
Molecular formula
Molecular mass

Alkanes & Alkenes

No
Yes
No
Low
Each member of homologous differs from
the next/successive member by a unit
CH2
Each member of homologous differs from
the next/successive member of 14 unit

Differences:
Properties

Alkanes

Reaction with oxygen,

O2 gas

It burned with less

sooty yellow flame

The reddish-brown
Reaction with bromine, colour of bromine
Br2 water
water remains
unchanged
The purple colour of
Reaction with acidified
acidified potassium
potassium
manganate(VII)
manganate(VII),
solutions remained
KMnO4 solution
unchanged
1

Alkenes
It burned with a
more sooty yellow
flame
The reddishbrown colour of
bromine water
decolourised
The purple colour
of acidified
potassium
manganate(VII)
solutions was
decolourised

ESSAY;

HOW TO DIFFERENTIATE THE ALKANE and

ALKENE IN THE BOTTLES?
Solutions:
i. Procedure
ii. Observations
iii. Inference
[8marks]
Sample answer
Aim: To investigate the liquid in bottle A and B
Dropper

Test tube

Test tube A

Test tube B

Procedure;
1. The apparatus shown above is prepared.
2. 2-5 cm3 bromine water is measured with measuring
cylinder 5ml and poured into a test tube.
3. A few drops of liquid from bottle A is put/added with
dropper into the test tube, and shake.
4. Obsevation is recorded.
5. The experiments is repeated by replace the liquid from
bottle A with bottle B.
Observation:
Test Tube

Observation

Inference

Liquid
in bottle A

The reddish-brown
colour of bromine water Contains alkane
remains unchanged

Liquid
in bottle B

The reddish-brown
colour of bromine water Contains alkene
decolourised

Easylah!

Prepared by;
Kamal Ariffin Bin Saaim
SMKDBL
http://kemhawk.webs.com