INTRODUCTION

The simplest organic compounds are hydrocarbons. Organic compounds types of hydrocaly two elements, carbon and hydrogen, are called hydrocarbons. There are many types of hydrocarbons. They are classified according to the type of bond between the carbon atoms. In the previous chapter, you learned the differences between alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes.

14.1 ALKANES

Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons. They have general formula CnH2n+2. Each carbon atom forms four bonds and each hydrogen atom forms only one bond. So the simplest alkane molecule that is possible is CH4. It is called methane. Methane is the main component of natural gas. Electron dot and cross structure for methane is as follows.

Methane Structure

So the structural formula for methane is

Methane Structural Formula

Recall that structural formula shows which atoms are bonded to each other. The next member of alkane series is ethane, C2H6. Ethane molecules has following structure:

Ethane Structure