Matriculation Chemistry (Hydrocarbon) Part 2 Alkane
Matriculation Chemistry (Hydrocarbon) Part 2 Alkane
Matriculation Chemistry (Hydrocarbon) Part 2 Alkane
Physical Boiling
state Point
Solubility
Physical state
At room temperature (25oC) and atmospheric
pressure (1 atm), for unbranched alkanes,
C1 – C4 : gases
C5 – C17 : liquids
C18 - more : solids
Boiling points
The boiling points of the straight alkanes
show a regular increase with increasing
molecular weight.
Branching of the alkanes chain, lower the
boiling point.
Mr ↑ boiling point ↑
C-H is non polar bond
Intermolecular forces exist – London
dispersion
The London dispersion forces increase :
As molecular weight increases,
Molecular size increases
Therefore, more energy is required to
separate molecules from one another
Result - a higher boiling point.
Mr ↑ boiling point ↑
Chain branching :
makes a molecule more compact
Surface area reduces
The strength of the London dispersion
forces reduce
Lower boiling points.
Isomeric Alkanes
37 C
o 28.5oC 9oC
For example, butane and 2-methylpropane both
have a molecular formula C4H10 , but the atoms
are arranged differently
CH3CH2CH2CH3 butane
CH3CH2CH2CH3
CH3CHCH3
CH3CHCH3 2-methylpropane
CH3
CH3
In butane the C atoms are arranged in a
single chain, but 2-methylpropane is a
shorter chain with a branch
Name Molecular structure
Boiling point
Combustion
Halogenation
Combustion of alkanes
y y
CxHy+ x + O2 → x CO2 + H2O
4 2
+ Heat
Examples:
Combustion of alkane in excess oxygen
R–H + X2 hv R–X + HX
→
With methane, the reaction produces a mixture of
halomethane and a hydrogen halide.
Examples:
ii. hv
CH3CH3 + Cl2 → CH3CH2Cl + HCl
CH3 CH3
| |
hv
iii. CH3 CCH3 + Cl2 → CH3 CCH2Cl + HCl
| |
CH3 CH3
H
H-C H + •Cl → •CH3 + HCl
H
H H Br
Increasing % yield
Exercise
Chlorination reaction of certain
alkanes can be used for laboratory
preparations, for example in the
preparation of chlorocyclopentane
from cyclopentane. Give the
mechanism for the reaction.