Alkanes
The Saturated hydrocarbon with the general formula CnH2n+2 are saturated hydrocarbons.
Hydrocarbons are compounds which contain only hydrogen and carbon.
Alkanes are described as saturated because their carbon atoms are joined by C–C single bonds. They do not contain C=C bonds.
The general formula for the alkanes is CnH2n+2.
Example
Decane is an alkane. A molecule of decane contains 10 carbon atoms. Predict the Shows the actual number of atoms of each element present in a compound. of decane.
n = 10
∴ 2n + 2 = (2 × 10) + 2 = 20 + 2 = 22
Formula: C10H22
The table shows the first four alkanes:
