What are Alkanes?

Table of Contents☰

About Alkanes:

Alkanes are organic compounds that consist entirely of single-bonded carbon and hydrogen atoms and lack any other functional groups.
Alkanes have the general formula CnH2n + 2 (where n is an integer).
Alkanes can be subdivided into three groups: the linear straight-chain alkanes,branched alkanes, and cycloalkanes.
They show little chemical affinity for other substances and are chemically inert to most laboratory reagents.
They are also relatively inert biologically and are not often involved in the chemistry of living organisms.
Alkanes do, however, react with oxygen, halogens, and a few other substances under appropriate conditions.
Reaction with oxygen occurs during combustion in an engine or furnace when an alkane is used as a fuel.
- Carbon dioxide and water are formed as products, and a large amount of heat is released.
They are commercially very important, being the principal constituent of gasoline and lubricating oils and are extensively employed in organic chemistry.
Examples of alkane include methane, ethane, propane, butane, etc.

Q1: What are halogens?

Halogens are any of the six nonmetallic elements that constitute Group 17 (Group VIIa) of the periodic table. The halogen elements are: fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), iodine (I), astatine (At), and tennessine (Ts).

Source: Catalyst Magic: Game-Changing Method for Alkane Activation Discovered in Japan