What are Alkanes?

Alkanes are compounds made up of carbon and hydrogen that contain only single carbon-carbon bonds. They follow the general formula C_nH_2n+2, where n is the number of carbons in the molecule.

Alkanes in which the carbons are continuously linked (without branching) are called linear chain alkanes.

[1] Methane
[2] Ethane
[3] Propane
[4] Butane

The family of linear alkanes is an example of a homologous series. A homologous series of compounds is one in which successive members differ by a methylene group (CH₂). The general formula for homologous alkanes is CH₃(CH₂)_nCH₃. Propane (CH₃CH₂CH₃, with n=1) and butane (CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₃, with n=2) are homologous.

In a homologous series, physical properties vary continuously, both melting and boiling points increase as the number of carbons in the molecule increases.

Alkanes with branches are called branched chain alkanes.

[5] 2-Methylbutane