alifatici

Aliphatic compounds are organic compounds in which carbon atoms form open chains or non-aromatic rings. They include alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes, as well as cycloalkanes that are not aromatic. The term also covers a broad range of functionalized derivatives whose carbon skeleton remains aliphatic, such as alcohols, ethers, amines, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, and nitriles.

Classification and examples: Straight-chain alkanes like pentane; branched alkanes like isobutane; alkenes like ethene; alkynes like acetylene; cycloalkanes like cyclohexane.

Properties and reactions: Generally nonpolar; solubility in water is limited; boiling points tend to increase with molecular size. Alkanes are relatively unreactive, undergoing radical substitution. Alkenes and alkynes participate in addition reactions, and functionalized aliphatic compounds display a wide range of chemistry.

Occurrence and use: They constitute major components of fuels and lubricants and form the basis of many polymers, such as polyethylene. In biology, long-chain fatty acids are aliphatic carboxylic acids. Aliphatic chemistry thus underpins both industrial processes and natural products.