Lecture Notes: Introduction to Hydrocarbons and Alkanes

Organic Chemistry Overview

• Definition: Branch of chemistry focused on compounds containing carbon.
• Carbon's Properties:
  • Forms four strong covalent bonds.
  • Commonly bonds with hydrogen, forming hydrocarbons.

Hydrocarbons

• Definition: Compounds made entirely of carbon and hydrogen.
  • Example: Butane (C4H10) is a hydrocarbon.
  • Counterexample: Butanol (contains oxygen) is not a hydrocarbon.

Alkanes

• Definition: Simplest type of hydrocarbons.
• Characteristics:
  • Saturated compounds with single covalent bonds.
  • General formula: CnH2n+2.

First Four Alkanes

1. Methane: CH4
   • Single carbon atom bonded to four hydrogens.
2. Ethane: C2H6
   • Two carbon atoms and six hydrogens.
3. Propane: C3H8
   • Three carbon atoms and eight hydrogens.
4. Butane: C4H10
   • Four carbon atoms and ten hydrogens.

• Growth Pattern:
  • Each increase by one carbon atom adds two hydrogen atoms.

Homologous Series

• Definition: Groups of organic compounds with similar properties and reactions.
• Alkanes as a Homologous Series:
  • Share a general formula: CnH2n+2.

Example Calculation

• Octane: An alkane with 8 carbon atoms.
  • Calculation: n = 8, so H = 2(8) + 2 = 18.
  • Molecular formula: C8H18.

Saturation and Structural Stability

• Saturated Hydrocarbons:
  • Every carbon forms four single bonds.
  • No double bonds.
• Alkene Formation:
  • Changing a single to a double bond changes the classification to alkenes.

Next Steps

• Future topics include properties of alkanes and combustion equations.
• Upcoming focus on hydrocarbon cracking and alkenes.

• End Note: Share the video content if found useful! Stay tuned for the next session focusing on alkane properties and combustion.