What are hydrocarbons? Distinguish alkanes from alkenes and each of them from alkynes giving one example of each. Draw the structure of each compound cited as example to justify your answer
Hydrocarbons are compounds which are made only of carbon and hydrogen atoms.
Distinguish between Alkanes and Alkenes:
Alkanes:
- Alkanes are hydrocarbons in which all the linkages between the carbon atoms are single covalent bonds.
- Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons with general formula
- They are less reactive because of the non-availability of electrons in the single covalent bond.
- They undergo substitution reaction.
Alkenes:
- Alkenes are unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons which contain one double bond.
- Alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons with general formula
- Aljcenes are most reactive than alkanes and alkynes because of the presence of
double bond. - They undergo addition reaction.
Alkynes:
- Alkynes are unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons which contain one triple bond.
- Alkynes are unsaturated hydrocarbons with general formula
- Alkynes are more reactive than alkanes because of the presence of a triple bond.
- They undergo addition reaction.