Saturated hydrocarbons with no specific functional group
Names of alkanes
methane = CH4
ethane = C2H6
propane = C3H8
butane = C4H10
pentane = C5H12
hexane = C6H14
heptane = C7H16
octane = C8H18
nonane = C9H2O
decane = C10H22
undecane = C11H24
dodecane = C12H26
tridecane = C13H28
Naming alkyl groups
Methane = methyl
Ethane = ethyl
Propane = propyl
Butane = butyl
pentane = pentyl
Hexane = hexyl
Heptane = heptyl
Octane = octyl
Nonane = nonyl
halogenfunctional groups
F = fluoro
Cl = chloro
Br = bromo
I = iodo
structural isomers definition
compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulae
Structural isomers can have different physical and/or chemical properties
Volatile/volatility definition
A volatilesubstance vaporises / turns into a gas readily / at relatively low temperatures. A substance with a low boiling point tend to have a high volatility
Complete combustion occurs when there is sufficient oxygen available. The hydrogen and carbon in the alkane oxidise to form H2O and CO2 respectively.
E.g. C3H8 + 5O2 -> 3CO2 + 4H20
incomplete combustion occurs when there is insufficient oxygen available. water and carbon monoxide (or carbon) are formed
e.g. C6H14 + 13/2 O2 -> 6CO + 7H20
incomplete combustion can be dangerous, as the carbon monoxide produced is a colourless, odourless toxic gas. in high concentrations, CO can kill
What is halogenation
Halogenation is a substitution reaction, as hydrogen is substituted a halogen.
A mechanism for a reaction shows the individual steps that occur in the conversion of reactants to products