Organic Chemistry 1: Alkanes

3.0 Organic Chemistry 1

Carbon is an abundant element in living things, otherwise called organisms. A study of its compounds is therefore called organic chemistry. The black residue left when organic products, including foods, char ("burn") is actually carbon.

This topic is about the hydrocarbons alkanes, alkenes and alkynes. Hydrocarbons are compounds of carbon and hydrogen only. They form a major branch of organic compounds.

3.1 Alkanes

Alkanes are hydrocarbons with only single bonds between carbon atoms.

Figure 3.1: Single bond in alkanes

Examples of alkanes are candle wax, kerosene, cooking gas, diesel, and petrol.

Figure 3.1(a): Some common alkanes in use (candle wax, kerosene, and cooking gas)

Questions 3.1(a)

1. From Figure 3.1(a), identify any one common property of alkanes.
2. Alkanes are obtained from crude oil. How did crude oil form?