Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons

 

Hydrocarbons – a substance made of Hydrogen and Carbon

 

Homologous Series – a series of carbon compounds differing from each other only by the addition of more CH2  groups to increase the length of the carbon chains.

Isomers – different forms of the same molecular formula with different structural formulae

 

Alkanes Alkenes
·         Non-polar molecules

·         Weak intermolecular attractions

·         Low melting point and boiling point (but increases as size increases)

·         Lower density than water

·         Saturated Hydrocarbons

·         Single bonds only

·         Formula = CnH2n +2

·         Gas state between 1-4 C’s

·         Liquid state between 5-17 C’s

·         Non-polar molecules

·         Weak intermolecular attractions

·         Low melting point and boiling point (but increases as size increases)

·         Unsaturated Hydrocarbons

·         Contain a double bond

·         Formula = CnH2n

·         Extremely reactive due to double bonds breaking

·         Turns bromine water from red to colourless

e.g. Ethane (C2H6)

e.g. Ethene (C2H4)

Alcohols Carboxylic Acids
·         Polar molecules (decreases as more carbons added)

·         Strong intermolecular attractions

·         Formula = CnH2n +1OH

·         Colourless volatile liquids

·         Burn cleanly and efficiently, but with less energy from presence of oxygen

·         Polar molecules

·         Formula = CnH2n+1COOH

·         Strong intermolecular attractions

·         Weak acids

·         Formed through the oxidation of Alcohols

·         Reacts with Alcohols to form Esters

e.g. Ethanol (C2H5OH)

e.g. Ethanoic Acid (CH3COOH)