Introduction to Hydrocarbons
A hydrocarbon is an organic compound that only contains carbon and hydrogen atoms
Unsaturated vs Saturated Hydrocarbons
A saturated hydrocarbon is one that has the maximum number of hydrogens added (no double or triple bonds)
- Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons
- Alkenes and alkynes are unsaturated hydrocarbons
General Formulas for Hydrocarbons
Alkanes are hydrocarbons that only have single bonds between carbon atoms ... CnH2n+2
Alkenes are hydrocarbons that have at least 1 C=C double bond ...CnH2n
Alkynes are hydrocarbons that contain at least 1 C≡C triple bond ... CnH2n-2
Aliphatic vs Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Aliphatic hydrocarbons: compounds that have a structure based on straight or branched chains or rings of carbon atoms (does not include aromatic compounds like benzene)
Includes: alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and cyclic hydrocarbons
Aromatic hydrocarbons: a compound with a structure based on benzene (C6H6).
Benzene has all 6 Cs in intermediate length between a single and double bond because of resonance.
Cyclic Hydrocarbons
Hydrocarbons
A hydrocarbon is a molecule made exclusively of carbon and hydrogen atoms.
Key Features:
- Simplest organic molecules
- Non-polar
- Small hydrocarbons are often used as fuels in combustion reactions and as solvents
Multiple Bonds
Isomers
If two organic compounds have the same number of atoms but different bond connectivity then they are isomers, or more precisely structural isomers.
