Alkanes Example of thermal cracking is
hydrogen atoms in the molecule.
Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons that
contains strong single bonds between the
carbon atoms. Due to the strong carbon to
carbon and carbon to hydrogen bonds
alkanes are fairly unreactive.
Alkanes general formula is CnH2n+2
Example: Methane (CH4) , Octane (C8H18)
and Decane (C10H22)
o The melting and boiling point of
alkanes increases with an increase in
their molecular size.
o Methane,Ethane,Propane & Butane
are gases at room temperature.
o Alkanes with 5 to 16 carbon atoms in
the molecule are liquids.
o Alkanes with 17 or more carbon
atoms are so large that they become
soilds.
Reactions of Alkanes
1.) Halogenation reaction is a reaction
between alkanes and halogens in which the
halogen atoms take the place of the
hydrogen atoms in the alkane’s molecule in
the presence of Ultraviolet light.
Ex. Tetrabromo methane(CBr4) CH4(g) +
4Br2(g) –UV light-> CBr4(l) + 4HBr(g)
2.)Cracking is the process in which long
chain alkanes are converted to shorter
chains which are more useful. They are two
types of cracking: Thermal and Catalytic
cracking.
alkene has a higher ratio of carbon atoms to
C8H18--- C5H12 + C3H6
Octane --------- Pentane + Propene
Ex. C2H4(g) + 3O2(g)----2CO2(g) + 2H2O(g)
2.) Addition reactions of Alkenes involves
3.) Combustion of Alkanes is when alkane
the addition of atoms or molecules to the
burn in oxygen with a clean blue flame to
carbon to carbon double bond. They are 3
produce carbon dioxide, water as steam
types of addition reaction: addition of
and large amounts of heat.
hydrogen, addition of halogens and addition
Example of Complete Combustion: of water.
2C4H10(g) + 13O2(g) --- 8CO2(g) + 10H2O(g) + i) Hydrogenation of Alkenes is the addition
Energy reaction between alkene and hydrogen gas
in which an alkane is being produced.
Example of Incomplete Combustion
Ex.Ethene C2H4(g) +H2(g)--5atm,150C---Ni Catalyst-
produce carbon monoxide.
Ethane C2H6(g)
2CH4(g) + 3O2(g)- 2CO(g) + 4H2O(g) + energy
ii)Hydration of the alkenes is the addition
Alkenes reaction between alkenes and water in the
form of steam, to produce an alcohol.
Alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons that
contain one double bond between the Ex. Ethene C2H4(g) +H2O(g)-----H3PO4Catalyst--
70atm,300C
carbon atoms. Alkenes are very reactive -- Ethanol C2H5OH(l)
because the bonds are not stable and can
iii)Halogenation of Alkenes is the addition
easily break.
reaction between alkenes and halogens
Alkenes general formula is CnH2n whereby the halogen atoms are added to
the molecule to produce halo alkanes.
Example: Ethene(C2H4), Octene (C8H16) and
Decene (C10H20) Ex.Ethene C2H4(g) + Br2(g)--1,2-dibromo
ethane C2H4Br2(g)
Reactions of Alkenes
1.) Combustion of Alkenes is when alkene
burn in oxygen with a yellow smoky flame to
produce carbon dioxide, water as steam
and a large amounts of heat. Alkenes
require more oxygen than alkane because
 Alkanes are used as:
Organic chemistry is the branch of
chemistry in which carbon compounds are
 organic solvents Emoley Usher
 Manufacturing of chemicals
studied. Organic chemistry plays a vital part
 Fuels such as:Kerosene oil, Diesel
of our lives since carbon compounds are all
around. Organic compounds are oil, alcohol oil and Petrol (Gasoline)
and are also a part of the food in which we  Starting materials for the
consume such as carbohydrates, proteins manufacturing of: plastics,
and fats. detergents, paints, soap etc.
Things to know:

Laboratory Preparation of Methane:

Methane is been prepared by heating a

mixture of anhydrous sodium ethanoate
and sodium hydroxide.
Alkanes and Alkenes
CH3COONa + NaOHCH4 + Na2CO3
Brochure
Catenation- is the ability of carbon to form
covalent bonds with other carbon atoms Alkenes are used for:
forming long chains and rings.
 The production of plastics
 To make alcohol

Homologous series are the families into  To make antifreeze (terylene and
which organic chemistry is simplified. ethane-1,2-diol
 Cleaning solvents
 Synthetic rubbers
 Lubricants