Organic chemistry

Hydrocarbons

Catherine Mortimer-Hawkins, IEST

• A carbon atom can bond in 4 places!

• Hydrocarbons – ONLY carbon and hydrogen!

Alkanes

H

C HH

H

CCH H

HH

HH

CC C

H

H

HH

H

H

H

H HH CCCC

H HH

H

H

HH H

Methane ButhanePropaneEthane

C4H10C3H8

C2H6CH4

Alkanes

• Found in oil and natural gas.• The longer chain – the higher boiling point. The first 4

are gases, next 12 fluids, rest solid.• Each carbon atom has 4 other atom neighbours.• Good fuels – burns with oxygen.

CH4 + 2O2 -> CO2 + 2H2O + HEAT

(methane + oxygen -> carbondioxide+water+heat)

Isomers

• Same formula, but different structure!

Draw a buthane, C4H10!

HH CCCC

H HH

H

H

HH H

H

H

H

H

H

H

HCC C

C

H

H H