Alkanes

    Cards (10)

    • Bonding in alkanes
      • C-H bonds (sigma bond)
      • Electronegativities of C and H are very similar so alkanes are non polar
    • Boiling point of straight chain alkanes
      • Boiling point increases as chain length increases
      • Stronger london forces
      • Requires more energy to break
    • Boiling point in branched alkanes
      • More branched = lower boiling point
      • Molecules cant pack closely together
      • Less surface area available for london forces to interact
    • Initiation

      Molecule →\rightarrowRadical + Radical
    • Propagation

      Molecule + radical→\rightarrowMolecule + radical
    • Termination

      Radical + radical→\rightarrowMolecule
    • Complete combustion

      Alkane + Oxygen→\rightarrowCarbon dioxide + water
    • Incomplete combustion

      Alkane + Oxygen→\rightarrowCarbon monoxide + water
    • Reactivity of alkanes
      • High bond enthalpy of C-C and C-H bonds
      • Low polarity of C-H bonds
      • This makes alkanes unreactive
    • Bond angles in alkanes
      109.5 (tetrahedral)