Alkanenes

Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons, meaning they consist solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms joined by single covalent bonds. They are the simplest class of organic compounds. The general formula for alkanes is CnH2n+2, where 'n' represents the number of carbon atoms. The smallest alkane is methane (CH4), followed by ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), and butane (C4H10). As the number of carbon atoms increases, so does the molecular weight and boiling point of the alkane.

Alkanes are typically unreactive due to the strong, nonpolar carbon-carbon and carbon-hydrogen single bonds. They undergo combustion reactions, reacting with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water, releasing energy. This property makes them valuable as fuels, such as natural gas (primarily methane) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG, a mixture of propane and butane). Alkanes also participate in substitution reactions, where one or more hydrogen atoms are replaced by other atoms or groups.

Isomers exist for alkanes with four or more carbon atoms. Isomers are compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements. For example, butane (C4H10) has two isomers: n-butane and isobutane. The physical properties of alkanes, such as melting point and boiling point, can differ between isomers. Alkanes are generally nonpolar and insoluble in water, but soluble in other nonpolar solvents. They are found abundantly in petroleum and natural gas, and are fundamental building blocks in organic chemistry and the petrochemical industry.