Aliphatic hydrocarbons can be chains {alkane}| or rings {cycloalkane}. Small alkanes have one carbon {methane}, two carbons {ethane}, three carbons {propane}, four carbons {butane}, five carbons {pentane}, six carbons {hexane}, seven carbons {heptane}, or eight carbons {octane}.
branching
Alkanes {n-alkane} can have no branches. Alkanes {iso-alkane} can branch at second carbon. Alkanes {neo-alkane} can have two single-carbon side-chain methyl groups on second carbon. Alkanes can have functional group on second carbon {sec-}. Alkanes can have functional group and carbon side chain on second carbon {tert-}.
properties
Alkanes are colorless, odorless, not polar, not reactive, not acidic, not basic, and oxidizable. If alkane has one to four carbons, it is gas. If alkane has five to nineteen carbons, it is liquid. If alkane has more than nineteen carbons, it is waxy solid.
Physical Sciences>Chemistry>Organic>Chemical>Alkane
5-Chemistry-Organic-Chemical-Alkane
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Date Modified: 2022.0224