Lecture on Hydrocarbons: Focus on Alkanes

Introduction to Organic Chemistry

• Organic chemistry involves compounds that contain carbon.
• Carbon is versatile in forming large compounds, forming four strong bonds typically with carbon or hydrogen.

Hydrocarbons

• Defined as compounds formed from carbon and hydrogen only.
• Example:
  • Butane is a hydrocarbon.
  • Butanol is not a hydrocarbon due to the presence of oxygen.

Alkanes

• Simplest type of hydrocarbons.
• First Four Alkanes in Series:
  • Methane: 1 carbon, 4 hydrogens (CH₄)
  • Ethane: 2 carbons, 6 hydrogens (C₂H₆)
  • Propane: 3 carbons, 8 hydrogens (C₃H₈)
  • Butane: 4 carbons, 10 hydrogens (C₄H₁₀)
• Homologous Series:
  • Grow by one carbon and two hydrogens each time.
  • Share similar properties and reactions.

General Formula for Alkanes

• General formula: CₙH₂ₙ₊₂
  • n represents the number of carbon atoms.
  • Example:
    • Propane (n=3): C₃H₈
    • Octane (n=8): C₈H₁₈

Characteristics of Alkanes

• Saturated Compounds:
  • Every carbon atom has four single covalent bonds.
  • No double bonds present in alkanes.
• Alkenes vs Alkanes:
  • Changing a single bond to a double bond in alkanes results in alkenes.

Upcoming Topics

• Next video will explore alkane properties and combustion equations.
• Future content will discuss cracking hydrocarbons and alkenes.

Ensure to understand the basic concepts of hydrocarbons and alkanes for upcoming discussions on their properties and reactions.