1. AS 1.7 L3 The Alkanes Outcomes:
I can state the general formula of alkanes and understand that they are saturated hydrocarbons which contain single bonds only
I can explain the existence of structural isomers using alkanes (up to C5) as examples
I know that alkanes are used as fuels and obtained from the fractional distillation, cracking and reformation of crude oil
Connector: - Worksheet 1- Introducing organic chemistry 1
Target sheet Chapter 1.6
Crowe2008

2. The Alkanes Alkanes are the simplest family of hydrocarbons
They only contain carbon-hydrogen bonds and carbon-carbon single bonds.
The first six are:
methane CH4
ethane C2H6
propane C3H8
butane C4H10
pentane C5H12
hexane C6H14
General formula: CnH2n+2

3. The alkanes and structural isomerism
Structural isomerism. This means that there are two or more different structural formulae that you can draw for each molecular formula.
Work out the two structural isomers for butane and name them.
Work out the three structural isomers for pentane and name them.
butane
methylpropane

4. pentane
methylbutane
dimethylpropane

5. (e) Suggest why branched chain molecules have lower boiling points than straight chain molecules

6. Reactions of alkanes
Practical 1.7
To make careful observations and
compare the properties of different alkanes.

7. Research and make notes in relation to:
1.7.2c. Know that alkanes are used as fuels and obtained from the fractional distillation, cracking and reformation of crude oil