Chapter 1 Alkanes

Chapter 1
Organic Compounds:
Alkanes
Chapter Objectives:
Learn the differences between organic and inorganic compounds.
Learn how to identify isomers of organic compounds.
Learn how to write condensed, expanded, and line structures for organic compounds.
Learn how to recognize the alkane functional group in organic compounds.
Learn the IUPAC system for naming alkanes and cycloalkanes.
Learn the important physical and chemical properties of the alkanes.

Mr. Kevin A. Boudreaux

Angelo State University
CHEM 2353 Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry
Organic and Biochemistry for Today (Seager & Slabaugh)
www.angelo.edu/faculty/kboudrea

Organic chemistry nowadays

almost drives me mad. To
me it appears like a primeval
tropical forest full of the
most remarkable things, a
dreadful endless jungle into
which one does not dare
enter, for there seems to
be no way out.
Friedrich Whler

1
Chapter 1 Alkanes

What Do We Mean By Organic?

In everyday usage, the word organic can be found in
several different contexts:
chemicals extracted from plants and animals were
originally called organic because they came
from living organisms.
organic fertilizers are obtained from living
organisms.
organic foods are foods grown without the use of
pesticides or synthetic fertilizers.
In chemistry, the words organic and organic
chemistry are defined a little more precisely:

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Chapter 1 Alkanes

What is Organic Chemistry?

Organic chemistry is concerned with the study of
the structure and properties of compounds
containing carbon.
All organic compounds contain carbon atoms.
Inorganic compounds contain no carbons. Most
inorganic compounds are ionic compounds.
Some carbon compounds are not considered to be
organic (mostly for historical reasons), such as CO,
CO2, diamond, graphite, and salts of carbon-
containing polyatomic ions (e.g., CO32-, CN-).
Inorganic chemistry is the study of the other
elements and non-carbon containing compounds.

The Periodic Table

There are 92 naturally occurring elements, and many
artificial ones, in the (in)famous Periodic Table:
IA VIII A

1 H II A III A IV A V A VI A VII A He
2 Li Be B C N O F Ne
3 Na Mg III B IV B V B VI B VII B
III B
IB II B Al Si P S Cl Ar
4 K Ca Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn Ga Ge As Se Br Kr
5 Rb Sr Y Zr Nb Mo Tc Ru Rh Pd Ag Cd In Sn Sb Te I Xe
6 Cs Ba La Hf Ta W Re Os Ir Pt Au Hg Tl Pb Bi Po At Rn
7 Fr Ra Ac Rf Db Sg Bh Hs Mt Ds Rg Cn Fl Lv

Lanthanides Ce Pr Nd Pm Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Ho Er Tm Yb Lu

Actinides Th Pa U Np Pu AmCm Bk Cf Es Fm Md No Lr 6

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Chapter 1 Alkanes

The Periodic Table of Organic Chemistry

Organic chemists look at the Periodic Table a little
differently:

Mg
Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu
Pd
Pt
B
Al
C N O F
P S Cl
Br
I

Origins of Organic Chemistry

Organic literally means derived from living
organisms organic chemistry was originally the
study of compounds extracted from living organisms
and their natural products.
It was believed that only living organisms possessed
the vital force necessary to create organic
compounds (vitalism).
This concept started to change in 1828 after
Friedrich Whler showed that it was possible to
make urea, a known organic compound from a
mineral source: O

Heat H C H
NH4+ -OCN N N

Ammonium H H
8
Cyanate Urea

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Chapter 1 Alkanes

Origins of Organic Chemistry

What this and later experiments showed was that
organic molecules even those made by living
organisms can be handled and synthesized just
like minerals and metals
What was special about these molecules was that
they contained the element carbon.

Whats So Great About Carbon?

Carbons atoms can be linked by strong, stable
covalent bonds.

neutral carbon, C

H H
C C
H C H H C H

H H
carbon cation, C4+

carbide anion, C4- 10

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Chapter 1 Alkanes

Whats So Great About Carbon?

Carbon atoms can form stable bonds to many other
elements (H, F, Cl, Br, I, O, N, S, P, etc.). Most
organic compounds contain a few hydrogens, and
sometimes oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, etc.
Carbon atoms can form complex structures, such as
long chains, branched chains, rings, chiral
compounds (having a particular handedness),
complex 3D shapes, etc.
Because of this variety in bonding and complexity,
carbon atoms can form a tremendous variety of
compounds. More than 16,000,000 organic
compounds are known, as opposed to about 600,000
inorganic compounds.

11

Whats So Great About Carbon?

Complex organic compounds can perform a number
of useful biological functions (vitamins,
carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, enzymes, ATP, DNA,
RNA are all organic compounds) which are studied
in biochemistry.
Complex organic compounds are present in the foods
we eat (carbohydrates, proteins, fats, etc.)
Most medicines, whether they come from a chemical
plant or a green plant, are organic compounds.
Most fuels are organic compounds (wood, coal,
natural gas, gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, oil, and
other petroleum-based products).
Complex organic compounds are also useful in
technology (paints, plastics, rubber, textiles, etc.).
12

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Chapter 1 Alkanes

Organic vs. Inorganic Compounds

Organic compounds are held together by covalent
bonds, while inorganic compounds are held together
by ionic bonds.

H H H

methane H C H H C H H C H

H H H

Na+ Cl Na+ Cl
Cl Na+ Cl Na+
sodium chloride
Na+ Cl Na+ Cl
Cl Na+ Cl Na+
13

Organic vs. Inorganic Compounds

Table 1.1 Properties of typical organic
and inorganic compounds.
Property Organic Inorganic
Bonding within Covalent Often ionic
molecules
Forces between Generally weak Quite strong
molecules
Normal physical state Gases, liquids, or low Usually high melting-
melting-point solids point solids
Flammability Often flammable Usually
nonflammable
Solubility in water Often low Often high
Conductivity of Nonconductor Conductor
aqueous solutions
14

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Chapter 1 Alkanes

15

Atomic Orbitals on Carbon

A carbon atom does not form ions easily, since it has
four valence electrons (1s22s22p2). It satisfies the
octet rule in compounds by sharing electrons.

2p

2s
s orbital

p orbital
1s

Energy
These are the orbitals that exist on atomic carbon
(not connected to anything). 16

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Chapter 1 Alkanes

Hybrid Orbitals
When carbon atoms form bonds with each other, we
describe the resulting bonds using hybrid orbitals,
which are formed by mixing (hybridizing) the
carbons atomic orbitals. (Linus Pauling, 1950s)
When carbon atoms bond to 4 other atoms, the 2s
orbital and all three 2p orbitals in the valence shell
combine to produce four sp3 hybrid orbitals:

+ + + + + +

2s 2p sp3
1 atomic 3 atomic 4 hybrid
orbital orbitals orbitals 17

Hybrid Orbitals

2p
sp3
2s
hybridization

1s 1s

Energy
All four sp3 orbitals are at the same energy level,
with one electron in each hybrid orbital.
18

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Chapter 1 Alkanes

The Shape of an sp3 Carbon

In order to get as far away from each other as
possible (thus minimizing electron-electron
repulsions), the sp3 orbitals are arranged in the shape
of a tetrahedron around the central carbon atom,
with bond angles of 109.5.

sp3

109.5
C C
3
sp
sp3
sp3
19

The Shape of an sp3 Carbon

20

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Chapter 1 Alkanes

Bonding in Ethane
Bonds arise from the overlap of orbitals on adjacent
atoms.
End-on-end overlap of sp3 orbitals produces a -
bond (sigma bond).
All single bonds are -bonds.
Free rotation is possible around -bonds.
Each carbon in the ethane molecule, CH3CH3, is sp3-
hybridized and tetrahedral in shape. Free rotation is
possible around the CC bond. (See next slide)

21

Bonding in Ethane (CH3CH3)

H H

H C C H

H H

H H
H
C C
H
H H

22

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Chapter 1 Alkanes

Carbon Chains
Each carbon atom can form four bonds, either to
other carbon atoms, or to different atoms (such as H,
O, N, S, P, etc.) Three more sites
to make bonds

C C C C = C C

C
C C C C C C C

C
C C C C etc. 23

Multiple Bonds
Carbon atoms form four bonds to other things, but
sometimes those bonds are multiple bonds (double
or triple bonds):

C C C C C C C C
single bond double bond
results from the sharing results from the sharing
of two electrons of four electrons

C C C C
triple bond
results from the sharing
of six electrons
24

12
Chapter 1 Alkanes

Isomers
Isomers compounds having identical molecular
formulas, but different arrangements of atoms.
Structural Isomers the atoms in each molecule
are connected in a different order.

H H C2H6O H H

H C C O H H C O C H

H H H H
Ethyl Alcohol Dimethyl Ether
Colorless liquid Colorless gas
mp -117C mp -139C
bp 78.5C bp -25C
density 0.789 g/mL (20C) density 0.00195 g/mL (20C)
Intoxicant Refrigerant
25

Examples: Isomers
Draw all possible structures having the formulas
C4H10, C5H12, and C6H14.

C7H16 9 isomers
C8H18 13 isomers
C9H20 35 isomers
C10H22 75 isomers
C20H42 366,319 isomers
C30H62 4,111,846,763 isomers!
C40H82 62,481,801,147,341 isomers!
26

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Chapter 1 Alkanes

Examples: Isomers
O
Which of the following
molecules is a structural CH3 C CH3
isomer of acetone?
Acetone

O OH

H2C CH C H H2C CH CH2

O O

H3C CH2 C OH H3C CH2 C H

27

Functional Groups
Organic molecules are often organized by structures
called functional groups, which are characteristic
arrangement of atoms which define many of the
physical and chemical properties of a class of
organic compounds.
The simplest of the functional groups are the
hydrocarbons, which include the alkanes,
alkenes, alkynes, and aromatic hydrocarbons.
Many functional groups contain oxygen atoms,
such as alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones,
carboxylic acids, and esters.
Some other functional groups contain nitrogen
atoms, such as the amines and amides.
Molecules with the same functional group tend to
share similar chemical and physical properties. 28

14
Chapter 1 Alkanes

Table 1.2 Classes and functional groups of organic compounds

Example of expanded Example of condensed
Class Functional Group structural formula structural formula IUPAC / Common name

H H

Alkane None H C C H CH3CH3 ethane

H H

H H
Alkene C C C C H2C CH2 ethene (ethylene)
H H

Alkyne C C H C C H HC CH ethyne (acetylene)

H H
C C C C
Aromatic C C H C C H benzene
C C C C
H H

H H

Alcohol C O H H C C O H CH3CH2OH ethyl alcohol

H H

H H
methoxymethane
Ether C O C H C O C H CH3OCH3
(dimethyl ether)
H H
29

Table 1.2 Classes and functional groups of organic compounds

Example of expanded Example of condensed
Class Functional Group structural formula structural formula IUPAC / Common name
O H O O
Aldehyde C H H C C H CH3CH ethanal (acetaldehyde)

O H O H O

Ketone C C C H C C C H CH3CCH3 2-propanone (acetone)

H H

O H O O
Carboxylic acid C O H H C C O H CH3COH ethanoic acid (acetic acid)

O H O H O
methyl ethanoate
Ester C O C H C C O C H CH3COCH3
(methyl acetate)
H H

H H H
Amine N H H C N H CH3NH2 methylamine

O H O O

Amide C N H C C N H CH3CNH2 ethanamide (acetamide)

H H
30

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Chapter 1 Alkanes

31

A Moderately Complex Organic Molecule

H
H H H H H
H H H
C
H C C C
H H C C C H
H H C
H H H
C H H
H C H C
C C H H H
H H C H H C H H
H H
C C C
C H
C C C
H H H
H H
C C C H
HO C C
H H
H H
H

32

16
Chapter 1 Alkanes

Expanded Structural Formulas

In expanded structural formulas (Lewis formulas,
Lewis structures), all atoms and bonds are shown:

H H H H H

H C C H H C C C H
H H H

H H H H

H C C O H H C O C H
H H H H

33

Condensed Structural Formulas

In condensed structural formulas, only specific
bonds are shown; this is useful in reducing the
number of CH bonds that must be drawn.

H3C CH3
CH3 CH3 CH2 CH CH3

CH3CH3

CH3 CH2 OH CH3 CH2 O CH2 CH3

CH3CH2OH CH3CH2OCH2CH3

34

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Chapter 1 Alkanes

Line Drawings
In line drawings (line-angle formulas, skeletal
structures, stick figures), bonds are represented by
lines; everywhere two lines meet or a line begins or
ends is a C atom. Hs on Cs are not shown (except
for emphasis); Hs on other atoms must be shown.

OH O

35

Drawing Organic Molecules

Expanded structural formula Condensed structural formulas
(Lewis structure)
CH3 CH2 CH2 CH3
H H H H
CH3CH2CH2CH3
H C C C C H
CH3(CH2)2CH3
H H H H

= CH3
Line drawing

= CH

= C

= CH2 36

18
Chapter 1 Alkanes

Drawing Organic Molecules

H
H H H H H
Cholesterol H H H
C
H C C C
H H C C C H
H H C
H H H
C H H
H C H C
C C H H H
H H C H H C H H
H H
C C C
C H
C C C
H H H
H H
C C C H
HO C C
H H
H H
H

Expanded Structural Formula

37

Drawing Organic Molecules

CH3

H2 CH3 CHCH2CH2CH2CH(CH3)2
C
CH
H2C C
H2 CH3 CH2
C CH CH
C
H2C C CH
H2

CH C CH2
HO C C
H2 H

Condensed Structure
38

19
Chapter 1 Alkanes

Drawing Organic Molecules

HO

Line Drawing
39

Examples: Drawing Organic Molecules

Draw acceptable condensed structures and line
drawings associated with the following expanded
structural formulas.
H
H3C CH3
H C H H H
C
H H H H C C
H H
H H
H C C C C C H C C
H C H
H H H
H H

H O H

H C C C H
H H 40

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Chapter 1 Alkanes

Examples: Drawing Organic Molecules

Draw an acceptable expanded structure and line
drawing for the molecule CH3CH2CH2OH.

Draw an acceptable expanded structure and line

drawing for the molecule (CH3)3CCH2CH(CH3)CH3.

41

Examples: Drawing Organic Molecules

Draw acceptable expanded structures, condensed
structures, and line drawings for the following
molecules:
isopropyl alcohol, CH3CH(OH)CH3
acetic acid, CH3COOH
acetaldehyde, CH3CHO
acetone, CH3COCH3

42

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Chapter 1 Alkanes

43

Hydrocarbons
Hydrocarbons compounds that contain only
carbon and hydrogen.
Saturated Hydrocarbons contain only carbon-
carbon single bonds. H H

H C C H

H H
Alkanes
Unsaturated Hydrocarbons contain carbon-
carbon double or triple bonds. H

H H H C H
C C
C C H C C H
Alkynes C C
H H
H C H
Alkenes
H 44
Aromatics

22
Chapter 1 Alkanes

Alkanes
Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons each carbon
holds the maximum number of hydrogen atoms).
Alkanes contain only carbon-carbon single bonds.
General formula: CnH2n+2 (no rings).
Most chemical reactions require a functional group
handle to proceed. Since alkanes dont really have
functional groups, they arent very useful in many
biologically important processes.
Since alkanes undergo combustion easily, they
are a good source of energy (e.g., gasoline).
Alkanes also provide the raw materials for the
production of many other more complex
substances (plastics, etc.).
45

Some Common Alkanes

Methane, CH4
major component of natural gas (~85%), which is
produced by bacterial decomposition of
organisms in the absence of oxygen (marsh gas,
cow flatulence).
burns cleanly, so is useful for cooking.
odorless ethanethiol is added to make natural
gas leaks detectable.
Ethane, CH3CH3 (C2H6) a minor component of
natural gas (~10%).
Propane, CH3CH2CH3 (C3H8) used as an
industrial fuel, and in home heating and cooking.

46

23
Chapter 1 Alkanes

Some Common Alkanes

Butane, CH3CH2CH2CH3 (C4H10)
cigarette lighters
Butane is an unbranched (normal) alkane.
There is also a branched alkane with the formula
C4H10, having a three-carbon chain with a one-
carbon group connected to the middle.
We must give the other isomer a different name:
CH3CH(CH3)CH3 [or CH3CH(CH3)2] is named
isobutane (or 2-methylpropane).
Butane and isobutane are structural isomers of
each other.
CH3
CH3CH2CH2CH3 CH3CHCH3
Butane Isobutane 47

Conformations of Alkanes
Conformation the different arrangements of
atoms in space achieved by rotation about single
bonds.
Structures which are related to each other by rotation
around a single bond are the same molecule.
CH3CH2CH2CH3
CH3 CH3 CH3 CH3

H H CH H HH H H H HH
3
H H
H H H CH3 CH3 H
CH3

CH3 CH3 CH3 H

H

H H H
H H H CH3 48

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Chapter 1 Alkanes

Examples: Conformations and Isomers

Which of the following groups represent structural
isomers, and which are simply the same compound?

CH2 CH3 CH3

CH3 CH2 CH2 CH3 CH3 CH2 CH3 CH2 CH2

CH3 CH3 CH3 CH3

CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2

CH3 CH3

CH2 CH3 CH3 CH CH3 CH2 CH2

CH3 CH2 CH3 CH2 CH2

49

Examples: Conformations and Isomers

Which of the following groups represent structural
isomers, and which are simply the same compound?
CH3
CH3
CH3 CH CH3 CH3 CH CH2 CH3
CH3 CH CH3 CH CH3
CH2
CH3 CH3
CH3

CH3 CH3

CH3 C CH3 CH3 CH2 CH CH3 CH3 CH CH2 CH3

CH3 CH3

CH3 CH3

CH3 CH CH2 CH2 CH3 CH3 CH2 CH CH2 CH3

50

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Chapter 1 Alkanes

Alkane Nomenclature
Straight-chain alkanes are named by combining a
prefix which indicates the number of carbon atoms
in the chain, and a suffix indicating the functional
group of the molecule.
No. of Cs Prefix Functional
1 meth- Group Suffix
2 eth- Alkane -ane
3 prop- Alkene -ene
4 but- Alkyne -yne
5 pent-
6 hex-
7 hept-
8 oct-
9 non-
10 dec- 51

Alkane Nomenclature
When alkanes are branched, things get more
complex. Remember there are two isomers of C4H10:
CH3
CH3CH2CH2CH3 CH3CHCH3
Butane Isobutane

There are three isomers of C5H12:

CH3 CH3
CH3CH2CH2CH2CH3 CH3CHCH2CH3 CH3 C CH3
Pentane Isopentane CH3
Neopentane
There are 75 isomers of C10H22!
We need a way to name molecules that doesnt
require memorizing a huge number of prefixes.
52

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Chapter 1 Alkanes

IUPAC System of Chemical Nomenclature

The system of nomenclature used to name organic
compounds was developed by the International
Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC).
A root identifies the longest continuous chain of
carbon atoms.
A suffix identifies the main functional group in
the molecule.
A set of prefixes identifies the numbers and
positions of the substituents (groups which are
attached to the longest chain). (Alkyl groups are
substituents which contain a carbon chain.)
Prefix Root Ending
number and longest carbon functional
identity of chain class
53
attached groups

IUPAC Nomenclature of Alkanes

Step 1. Identify and name the longest continuous
chain of C atoms (#C + -ane for alkanes). If there is
more than one way to get the same # of Cs in the
longest chain, use the one that gives more substituents.
CH3 CH3 CH3
CH3 CH CH2 CH2 CH3 CH3 CH CH2 C CH3
CH3

CH3 CH2 CH3 CH3 CH CH3

CH3 CH CH2 CH CH3 CH3 CH2 CH CH2 CH3

CH3 CH2 CH3

CH3 CH2 CH CH2 CH CH2 CH3

54

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Chapter 1 Alkanes

IUPAC Nomenclature of Alkanes

Step 2. Number the atoms in the longest chain.
Number consecutively from the end that will give
the lower number to any C to which a group is
attached.
If two or more alkyl groups are attached to the
longest chain, use the numbering path that gives
the lowest number for the first point of difference.
If two different alkyl groups are attached at the
same distance from either end of the chain, the
one that comes first in alphabetical order has the
highest priority.

55

IUPAC Nomenclature of Alkanes

Step 3. Name the alkyl groups (#C + -yl) and
other substituents connected to the longest chain.
In front of each alkyl group name, put the number of
the carbon the group is attached to, separated from
the name by a dash (e.g., 2-methyl).
Step 4. If there is more than one of a particular
substituent, combine them into a single word using
the appropriate counting prefix (di-, tri-, tetra-,
etc.). Include all of the carbon numbers which the
groups are attached to, separated by commas (e.g.,
2,2,3-trimethyl).
No. of Groups Prefix No. of Groups Prefix
1 6 hexa-
2 di- 7 hepta-
3 tri- 8 octa-
4 tetra- 9 nona-
56
5 penta- 10 deca-

28
Chapter 1 Alkanes

IUPAC Nomenclature of Alkanes

Step 5. Arrange the alkyl groups in front of the
parent name in alphabetical order (ignoring
counting prefixes, sec- and tert-; iso- is used in
alphabetizing). Separate numbers from each other
by commas, and numbers from words by dashes.
CH3 CH3 CH3
CH3 CH CH2 CH2 CH3 CH3 CH CH2 C CH3
CH3

CH3 CH2 CH3 CH3 CH CH3

CH3 CH CH2 CH CH3 CH3 CH2 CH CH2 CH3

CH3 CH2 CH3

CH3 CH2 CH CH2 CH CH2 CH3 57

Examples: Alkane Nomenclature

Draw structural formulas and give the correct names
for all of the possible structural isomers of butane
(C4H10).

58

29
Chapter 1 Alkanes

Examples: Alkane Nomenclature

Draw structural formulas and give the correct names
for all of the possible structural isomers of pentane
(C5H12).

59

Examples: Alkane Nomenclature

Draw structural formulas and give the correct names
for all of the possible structural isomers of hexane
(C6H14).

60

30
Chapter 1 Alkanes

Examples: Alkane Nomenclature

Provide acceptable IUPAC names for the following
molecules:

CH3 CH2 CH2 CH CH3 CH3 CH CH3

CH2 CH3 CH CH3

CH3

CH3 CH3 CH3 CH3

CH3 CH CH2 CH CH3 CH3 CH2 CH CH CH3

61

Examples: Alkane Nomenclature

Provide acceptable IUPAC names for the following
molecules:
CH2 CH3 CH2 CH3

CH3 CH2 CH CH2 CH3 CH3 CH2 C CH3

CH2 CH2 CH3

CH3 CH2 CH2 CH2 CH CH2 CH2 CH2 CH3

CH2 CH2 CH3

CH2 CH3 CH3

CH2 CH2
CH2 CH CH2 CH2
CH3 CH CH3 62

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Chapter 1 Alkanes

Common Substituents

Common Alkyl Groups

methyl CH3 butyl CH2CH2CH2CH3

ethyl CH2CH3 CH3

propyl CH2CH2CH3 sec-butyl CH CH2 CH3

CH3 CH3

isopropyl CH CH3 isobutyl CH2 CH CH3

CH3
tert-butyl C CH3
Common Nonalkyl Groups
CH3
fluoro F iodo I

chloro Cl nitro NO2

bromo Br amino NH2 63

Examples: Alkane Nomenclature

Provide acceptable IUPAC names for the following
molecules:
CH3 Br Cl
CH3 CH2 C CH2 CH CH3 CH3 CH CH CH3
CH3 CH2 CH3

CH3
CH3 CH CH3
CH3CCH3
CH3 CH CH2 CH CH2 CH2 CH3
CH3CH2CH2CHCHCH2CH2CH3
F
NO2

64

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Chapter 1 Alkanes

Examples: Alkane Nomenclature

Provide acceptable IUPAC names for the following
molecules:

65

Examples: Alkane Nomenclature

Draw condensed structural formulas or line drawings
for each of the following compounds:
hexane

3-ethylpentane

2,2-dimethylbutane

66

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Chapter 1 Alkanes

Examples: Alkane Nomenclature

Draw condensed structural formulas or line drawings
for each of the following compounds:
3-ethyl-2-methylhexane

4-isopropyloctane

6-sec-butyl-7-ethyl-2,2,5,8-tetramethylnonane

67

Examples: Alkane Nomenclature

The following names have been assigned incorrectly.
Draw the structure corresponding to the name, and
assign the correct IUPAC name.
3-sec-butylpentane

2-ethyl-2,6-dimethylhexane

68

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Chapter 1 Alkanes

69

Cycloalkanes
Alkanes may also possess cyclic structures in
addition to the straight- and branched-chain acyclic
molecules we have already seen.
General formula: CnH2n (for one ring)
H H
~ 60 Note that these
C molecules are
not structural
CH3CH2CH3 H C C H isomers of
each other!
H H
Acyclic Cyclic
Propane Cyclopropane

cyclobutane cyclopentane 70
cyclohexane cyclooctane

35
Chapter 1 Alkanes

Cycloalkane Nomenclature
When naming cycloalkanes, the ring is taken to be
the longest chain; the prefix cyclo- is added to the
normal root + -suffix.
When mono-substituted cycloalkanes are named, it
is not necessary to specify the position number,
since all positions in the ring are equivalent.
When more than one substituent is located on a ring,
the numbering begins at the carbon to which the
group is attached which comes first in alphabetical
order, and then proceeds in a direction which gives
the lowest possible number to the next attached
group.

71

Examples: Cycloalkane Nomenclature

Provide acceptable IUPAC names for the following
molecules:
CH3

CH3

CH3 Cl

CH3 CH3

72

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Chapter 1 Alkanes

Examples: Cycloalkane Nomenclature

Provide acceptable IUPAC names for the following
molecules:
CH3 CH3
CH3

CH3

CH2CH3

Cl CH3 CH CH3

Cl
CH3
Cl CH2 CH CH3

73

The Shape of Cycloalkanes

Cyclopropane has bond angles of 60, which is bent
far away from the normal 109.5 bond angles of
straight-chain alkanes. It is a flat molecule.
HH

~ 60

H
H H
H
Cyclobutane has bond angles of about 90; it is also
less stable than a normal alkane. It is mostly flat,
but there is some slight puckering of the ring.
H
H H
H
~ 90

H
H H
H 74

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Chapter 1 Alkanes

The Shape of Cycloalkanes

Cyclopentane has bond angles of about 108; it
forms a mostly flat but slightly puckered ring.
Cyclopentane rings are very common in nature.
HH

H
H H
H
~ 108
H
H H H

If cyclohexane were flat, the bond angles would be

about 120; but this molecule can adopt a chair or
boat conformation in which the bond angles are
109.5. Cyclohexane rings are extremely common.

"chair" "boat"
conformation conformation 75

Stereoisomers of Cycloalkanes
The molecules below are different molecules
because there is no free rotation around carbon-
carbon bonds in cycloalkanes.
CH3

CH3 CH3 CH3

cis-1,2-dimethylcyclopentane trans-1,2-dimethylcyclopentane

These molecules are stereoisomers compounds

with the same molecular and structural formula but
different spatial arrangements of atoms.
Stereoisomers in which the spatial arrangement is
maintain by rings (or double bonds) are called
geometric isomers or cis-trans isomers.
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Chapter 1 Alkanes

Examples: Stereoisomers
State whether each possible pairing of the molecules
below are structural isomers, geometric isomers, or
the same molecule.
CH3 CH3 CH3
CH3

CH3 CH3
CH3 CH3
CH3 CH3
CH3 CH3

CH3
CH3 CH3 CH3

77

Examples: Stereoisomers
Provide acceptable IUPAC names for the following
molecules:
Br Br

Br Br

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Chapter 1 Alkanes

79

Physical Properties of Alkanes

Since alkanes are composed of relatively nonpolar
CC bonds and CH bonds, alkanes are
nonpolar molecules.
Because they have only weak attractions for each
other, they tend to have lower melting points and
boiling points than other organic compounds of
comparable molecular weights.
The straight chain alkanes make up a homologous
series in which each members differs from a
previous member by having one additional CH2
group. In a homologous series, the physical
properties are closely related and vary in a
systematic way.

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Chapter 1 Alkanes

81

Physical Properties of Alkanes

The general rule when judging solubility is like
dissolves like polar substances mixes with polar
substances, nonpolar with nonpolar, but not polar
with nonpolar.
Alkanes (nonpolar) are insoluble in water (polar),
and since they are less dense than water, they float
(e.g., oil slicks).
Alkanes and other substances that do not dissolve in
water are often referred to as being hydrophobic
(water fearing).
Liquid alkanes of high molecular weight serve as
emollients (skin softeners) to replace oils washed
away by bathing or swimming.
Vaseline is a semisolid mixture of alkanes.
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Chapter 1 Alkanes

Alkane Reactions
Alkanes are the least reactive of all organic
compounds. They do not usually react with strong
acids or bases, or with most oxidizing or reducing
agents.
They do, however, burn very easily in combustion
reactions, releasing a great deal of energy:

CH4(g) + 2O2(g) CO2(g) + 2H2O(g) + 212.9 kcal

C3H8(g) + 5O2(g) 3CO2(g) + 4H2O(g) + 488.8 kcal

2C8H18(g) + 25O2(g) 16CO2(g) + 18H2O(g) +

2448 kcal

83

Alkane Reactions
In the absence of enough oxygen for complete
conversion to carbon dioxide, some common waste
products are generated in the incomplete burning of
alkanes:
CH4(g) + 2O2(g) CO2(g) + 2H2O(g)
CH4(g) + 3/2 O2(g) CO(g) + 2H2O(g)
CH4(g) + O2(g) C(s) + 2H2O(g)
CO, carbon monoxide, is poisonous, colorless,
and odorless. In the exhaust train of most cars, a
catalytic converter converts CO to CO2.
Solid elemental carbon produces engine deposits;
but this reaction is done to produce lampblack,
which is used in some ink pigments.
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Chapter 1 Alkanes

Alkyl Halides
Alkyl halides, or haloalkanes, are alkanes in which
one or more hydrogen atoms are replaced by
halogen atoms (F, Cl, Br, or I).
Most alkyl halides are not very water-soluble. Alkyl
fluorides and chlorides have densities that are higher
than those of alkanes, but still less than that of water.
Alkyl bromides and iodides are generally more
dense than water. Compounds containing more than
one halogen are often more dense than water.
Alkyl halides are named as alkanes with halo-
substituents (fluoro-, bromo-, chloro-, and iodo-).
A number of simple alkyl halides are better known
by their common names; for instance, CHCl3,
trichloromethane, is almost always referred to as
chloroform.
85

Examples: Nomenclature of Alkyl Halides

Provide acceptable IUPAC names for the following
molecules:
Cl Br Cl CH2 CH2 CH3

CH3 CH CH2 CH CH3 CH3 CH CH2 CH Br

Cl F H Cl

Cl C CH3 F C C F

Cl F H

Cl
Cl

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Chapter 1 Alkanes

Some Common Alkyl Halides

Cl Cl Cl

H C H H C Cl Cl C Cl

Cl Cl Cl
Dichloromethane Trichloromethane (chloroform) Tetrachloromethane
(methylene chloride) A colorless liquid (bp 60C); a (carbon tetrachloride)
A colorless , mildly toxic very commonly used organic Formerly a common organic
liquid (bp 41C) more dense solvent. Chloroform vapor is a solvent, and was widely used
than water. It is used as a anesthetic: James Young for dry cleaning and spot
paint remover and degreaser. Simpson was the first to use removal; it has been shown to
It is also used to decaffeinate chloroform as an anesthetic be toxic and carcinogenic,
coffee beans; since it has during childbirth in 1846 and contributes to ozone
such a low boiling point, the (presumably, not on himself!), depletion, so it has been
residual solvent can be and it was widely used in surgery replaced by other solvents.
removed from the beans at in the 19th and early 20th
fairly low temperatures. centuries. However, since
chloroform is carcinogenic, and
toxic to the liver, it is not widely
used for this purpose anymore.

87

Some Common Alkyl Halides

Cl H F

Cl C C H Br C Cl

Cl H F
1,1,1-Trichloroethane Bromochlorodifluoromethane (Halon 1211)
Formerly a very commonly used An example of a halon, a haloalkane that has
organic solvent; heavily used in bromine atoms in addition to chlorine and fluorine
dry cleaning, but it has been atoms. Halons are very stable, and are useful in
replaced by other solvents (such fire extinguishers, since they do not damage
as tetrachloroethylene). electronic equipment. Their use has largely been
phased out under the Montreal Protocols, but they
are still used in fire suppression systems aboard
some aircraft, since no completely satisfactory and
safe alternatives have been discovered.

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Chapter 1 Alkanes

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Cl Cl

F C F F C F

Cl H
Dichlorodifluoromethane (Freon-12) Chlorodifluoromethane (Freon-22)
An example of the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs, or An example of a hydrochlorofluorocarbon
freons), developed in the 1920s; they are relatively (HCFC), developed as alternatives to the
nontoxic, very unreactive, and boil at low temperatures, and CFCs. The HCFCs are not fully halogenated,
were thus ideal for use as refrigerants; they were also and are less stable than the CFCs, and degrade
widely used as aerosol propellants and as foaming agents. before they reach the upper atmosphere.
Unfortunately, they persist in the environment for a long
time (up to a century), and make their way into the upper F H
atmosphere, where they are split by high energy light from
the Sun, releasing chlorine atoms. These Cl atoms destroy F C C F
ozone in the stratospheric ozone layer that shields us from
much of the Sun's UV radiation. (F. Sherwood Rowland, F H
Mario J. Molina, Paul Crutzen, Nobel Prize in Chemistry,
1995) In 1987, a treaty called the Montreal Protocol on 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane (Freon-134a)
Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed, which A hydrofluorocarbon (HFC), another
cut back on the production and use of CFCs; in 1990, in group of CFC-alternatives that are not
response to the alarming increase in the size of the "ozone damaging to the ozone layer. Freon-134a
hole" over the South Pole, the agreement was extended to is now widely used in the air conditioning
become a ban on the use of CFCs starting in 2000. systems of automobiles in place of
Freon-12. 89

Petroleum
Petroleum is a mixture of hydrocarbons formed
over millions of years, primarily from the decay of
microscopic ocean-dwelling plants and animals.
The resulting crude oil collects in underground
pockets in sedimentary rock.
Petroleum is separated into different fractions by
fractional distillation.
Most petroleum products are burned as fuel, but
about 2% is used to synthesize other organic
compounds. (Thats still a lot!)
Over half of all synthetic industrial organics,
including dyes, drugs, plastics, fibers, detergents,
insecticides, etc., are made from petroleum sources

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Chapter 1 Alkanes

Petroleum Fractions
Molecular-
Fraction Boiling Range size range Typical uses
Gas -164-30C C1-C4 Heating, cooking

Gasoline 30-200C C5-C12 Motor fuel

Kerosene 175-275C C12-C16 Fuel for stoves; diesel

and jet engines
Heating oil Up to 375C C15-C18 Furnace oil
Lubricating 350C-up C16-C20 Lubrication, mineral oil
oils
Greases Semisolid C18-up Lubrication, petroleum
jelly
Paraffin Melts 52-57C C20-up Candles, toiletries
(wax)
Pitch and tar Residue
boiler
in High Roofing, asphalt paving
91

Carbon, in fact, is a singular element: it is the

only element that can bind itself in long stable
chains without a great expense of energy, and
for life on earth (the only one we know so far)
precisely long chains are required. Therefore
carbon is the key element of living substance:
but its promotion, its entry into the living
world, is not easy and must follow an obligatory,
intricate path . . . If the elaboration of carbon
were not a common daily occurrence, on the
scale of billions of tons a week, wherever the
green of a leaf appears, it would by full right
deserve to be called a miracle.
Primo Levi, Carbon in
The Periodic Table (1975)
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