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Naming Straight Chain Alkanes

Key Concepts

alkanes are hydrocarbons: made up of only carbon and hydrogen atoms
single bonds only between carbon atoms
general formula: C_nH_2n+2
name ends in "ane"
prefix determined by the number of carbon atoms in the chain:

meth	C₁
eth	C₂
prop	C₃
but	C₄
pent	C₅
hex	C₆
hept	C₇
oct	C₈
non	C₉
dec	C₁₀

Animated Tutorial

Examples

Name

no. C atoms
(n)

no. H atoms
(2n + 2)

Formula
C_nH_2n+2

Structure

methane

(2 x 1) + 2 = 4

CH₄

	H \|
H-	C	-H
	\| H

ethane

(2 x 2) + 2 = 6

C₂H₆

	H \|		H \|
H-	C	-	C	-H
	\| H		\| H

propane

(2 x 3) + 2 = 8

C₃H₈

	H \|		H \|		H \|
H-	C	-	C	-	C	-H
	\| H		\| H		\| H

butane

(2 x 4) + 2 = 10

C₄H₁₀

	H \|		H \|		H \|		H \|
H-	C	-	C	-	C	-	C	-H
	\| H		\| H		\| H		\| H

pentane

(2 x 5) + 2 = 12

C₅H₁₂

	H \|		H \|		H \|		H \|		H \|
H-	C	-	C	-	C	-	C	-	C	-H
	\| H		\| H		\| H		\| H		\| H

hexane

(2 x 6) + 2 = 14

C₆H₁₄

H
|

H-

-H

|
H

heptane

(2 x 7) + 2 = 16

C₇H₁₆

H
|

H-

-H

|
H

octane

(2 x 8) + 2 = 18

C₈H₁₈

H
|

H-

-H

|
H

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