Alkanes
Alkanes sit upstream of haloalkane preparation by photochemical halogenation and downstream of alkene hydrogenation in the aliphatic route map.
- Formula
- C_nH_{2n+2}
- Functional group
- C-C / C-H
- Also known as
- alkane, saturated hydrocarbon
Overview
Saturated hydrocarbons that can be cracked, halogenated, or hydrogenation products.
Alkanes sit upstream of haloalkane preparation by photochemical halogenation and downstream of alkene hydrogenation in the aliphatic route map.
Identifiers
- Formula
- C_nH_{2n+2}
- Functional group
- C-C / C-H
- Also known as
- alkane, saturated hydrocarbon
Chemical identifiers
- SMILES
- CC
Related compounds
- Methane
The smallest alkane, with four equivalent carbon–hydrogen bonds.
- Ethane
A two-carbon alkane whose single-bond rotation produces different conformations.
- Propane
A three-carbon alkane with terminal methyl groups and a central methylene.
- Butane
A straight-chain alkane with distinct anti and gauche conformations.
- Pentane
Pentane is an organic compound with the molecular formula C5H12.
- Hexane
An unbranched six-carbon alkane with a flexible saturated carbon skeleton.
- Heptane
Heptane is an organic compound with the molecular formula C7H16.
- Octane
Octane is an organic compound with the molecular formula C8H18.
- Nonane
Nonane is an organic compound with the molecular formula C9H20.
- Decane
Decane is an organic compound with the molecular formula C10H22.
- Dodecane
Dodecane is an organic compound with the molecular formula C12H26.
- Hexadecane
Hexadecane is an organic compound with the molecular formula C16H34.
- 2-Methylpropane
The branched constitutional isomer of butane.
- 2-Methylbutane
A branched five-carbon alkane, also called isopentane.
- 2,2-Dimethylpropane
A highly symmetrical five-carbon alkane, also called neopentane.
- 2,2,4-Trimethylpentane
2,2,4-Trimethylpentane is an organic compound with the molecular formula C8H18.
Connected reactions
- Free radical chlorination: Alkanes → Chloroalkanes
Photochemical chlorination can convert alkanes into chloroalkanes.
- Free radical bromination: Alkanes → Bromoalkanes
Photochemical bromination can convert alkanes into bromoalkanes.
- Cracking: Alkanes → Alkenes
Thermal or catalytic cracking converts long-chain alkanes into shorter molecules including alkenes.
- Hydrogenation: Alkenes → Alkanes
Hydrogenation reduces alkenes to alkanes.
- Complete combustion: Alkanes → Carbon dioxide
Alkanes burn completely in excess oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water.
References
- PubChem Compound Summary: Methane (CID 297)National Center for Biotechnology Information · PubChem
Identity, molecular formula, molecular weight and aliases retrieved via PUG REST on 2026-09-08.
- PubChem Compound Summary: Ethane (CID 6324)National Center for Biotechnology Information · PubChem
Identity, molecular formula, molecular weight and aliases retrieved via PUG REST on 2026-09-08.
- PubChem Compound Summary: Propane (CID 6334)National Center for Biotechnology Information · PubChem
Identity, molecular formula, molecular weight and aliases retrieved via PUG REST on 2026-09-08.
- PubChem Compound Summary: Butane (CID 7843)National Center for Biotechnology Information · PubChem
Identity, molecular formula, molecular weight and aliases retrieved via PUG REST on 2026-09-08.
- PubChem Compound Summary: Pentane (CID 8003)National Center for Biotechnology Information · PubChem
Identity, molecular formula, molecular weight and aliases retrieved via PUG REST on 2026-09-08.
- PubChem Compound Summary: Hexane (CID 8058)National Center for Biotechnology Information · PubChem
Identity, molecular formula, molecular weight and aliases retrieved via PUG REST on 2026-09-08.
- PubChem Compound Summary: Heptane (CID 8900)National Center for Biotechnology Information · PubChem
Identity, molecular formula, molecular weight and aliases retrieved via PUG REST on 2026-09-08.
- PubChem Compound Summary: Octane (CID 356)National Center for Biotechnology Information · PubChem
Identity, molecular formula, molecular weight and aliases retrieved via PUG REST on 2026-09-08.
- PubChem Compound Summary: Nonane (CID 8141)National Center for Biotechnology Information · PubChem
Identity, molecular formula, molecular weight and aliases retrieved via PUG REST on 2026-09-08.
- PubChem Compound Summary: Decane (CID 15600)National Center for Biotechnology Information · PubChem
Identity, molecular formula, molecular weight and aliases retrieved via PUG REST on 2026-09-08.
- PubChem Compound Summary: Dodecane (CID 8182)National Center for Biotechnology Information · PubChem
Identity, molecular formula, molecular weight and aliases retrieved via PUG REST on 2026-09-08.
- PubChem Compound Summary: Hexadecane (CID 11006)National Center for Biotechnology Information · PubChem
Identity, molecular formula, molecular weight and aliases retrieved via PUG REST on 2026-09-08.
- PubChem Compound Summary: 2-Methylpropane (CID 6360)National Center for Biotechnology Information · PubChem
Identity, molecular formula, molecular weight and aliases retrieved via PUG REST on 2026-09-08.
- PubChem Compound Summary: 2-Methylbutane (CID 6556)National Center for Biotechnology Information · PubChem
Identity, molecular formula, molecular weight and aliases retrieved via PUG REST on 2026-09-08.
- PubChem Compound Summary: 2,2-Dimethylpropane (CID 10041)National Center for Biotechnology Information · PubChem
Identity, molecular formula, molecular weight and aliases retrieved via PUG REST on 2026-09-08.
- PubChem Compound Summary: 2,2,4-Trimethylpentane (CID 10907)National Center for Biotechnology Information · PubChem
Identity, molecular formula, molecular weight and aliases retrieved via PUG REST on 2026-09-08.