Overview
This lecture covers the classification of hydrocarbons, their types, and important examples of each type.
Hydrocarbons
- Hydrocarbons are compounds made of hydrogen and carbon atoms.
- There are two types of hydrocarbons: saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons.
Saturated Hydrocarbons (Alkanes)
- Saturated hydrocarbons have only single bonds between carbon atoms.
- Alkanes are another name for saturated hydrocarbons.
- Methane is an alkane with 1 carbon atom.
- Ethane is an alkane with 2 carbon atoms.
- Propane is an alkane with 3 carbon atoms.
Unsaturated Hydrocarbons
- Unsaturated hydrocarbons have at least one double or triple bond between carbon atoms.
- Unsaturated hydrocarbons are divided into alkenes and alkynes.
Alkenes
- Alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons with at least one double bond between carbon atoms.
- The general formula depends on the number of carbon atoms in each alkene molecule.
Alkynes
- Alkynes are unsaturated hydrocarbons with at least one triple bond between carbon atoms.
- Ethyne is an alkyne with 2 carbon atoms.
- Propyne is an alkyne with 3 carbon atoms.
- Butyne is an alkyne with 4 carbon atoms.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Hydrocarbons — Compounds made of hydrogen and carbon atoms.
- Saturated Hydrocarbons (Alkanes) — Hydrocarbons with only single carbon-carbon bonds.
- Unsaturated Hydrocarbons — Hydrocarbons with at least one double or triple carbon bond.
- Alkenes — Unsaturated hydrocarbons with at least one double carbon bond.
- Alkynes — Unsaturated hydrocarbons with at least one triple carbon bond.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review examples of each hydrocarbon type.
- Practice writing the structural formulas for methane, ethane, propane, ethyne, propyne, and butyne.