Homologous series

• Homologous series is a family of compounds with the same general formula, and similar chemical properties
• Hydrocarbons are compounds containing only, hydrogen, and carbon atoms
• As the number of carbons increase in the homologous series, it shows a general increase in their melting and boiling points
• The increase in the melting and boiling points are attributed to the increasing strength of the intermolecular forces, as the molecular size increases
• Isomers:

  • compounds with the same molecular formula, but different structural formulae
  • may belong to different homologous series
  • usually have different physical properties
• Saturated compounds contain single carbon-carbon bonds, and do not undergo addition reactions
• Unsaturated compounds contain at least one carbon-carbon double bond, and undergo addition reactions