What are alkanes? What is their general formula? Write the IUPAC names and common names of members containing upto ten carbon atoms.
Alkanes or paraffin are saturated hydrocarbons having C–C and C–H bonds in their molecules. These are represented by the general formula CnH2n+2 where n may have value 1, 2, 3, 4......etc.
There is hardly any difference between IUPAC and common names of the members except that prefix n-(normal or straight chain) is used for common names of alkanes with four or more carbon atoms present in straight chains. The common name of the compound is written in the bracket.
When
n = 1 CH4 Methane (Methane)
n = 2 C2H6 Ethane (Ethane)
n = 3 C3Hg Propane (Propane)
n = 4 C4H10 Butane (n-Butane)
n = 5 C5H12 Pentane (n-Pentane)
n = 6 C6H14 Hexane (n-Hexane)
n = 7 C7H16 Heptane (n-Heptane)
n = 8 C8H18 Octane (n-Octane)
n = 9 C9H20 Nonane (n-Nonane)
n=10 C10H22 Decane (n-Decane)
