Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry

Revision Notes

4.3.1 Alkanes

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The Alkanes

  • Alkanes are a group of saturated hydrocarbons
    • The term saturated means that they only have single carbon-carbon bonds, there are no double bonds

  • The general formula of the alkanes is CnH2n+2
  • They are colourless compounds which have a gradual change in their physical properties as the number of carbon atoms in the chain increases
  • Alkanes are generally unreactive compounds but they do undergo combustion reactions, can be cracked into smaller molecules and can react with halogens in the presence of light
  • Methane is an alkane and is the major component of natural gas

Table of alkanes

Displayed formula Name Molecular formula
methane methane CH4 
ethane ethane C2H6 
propane propane C3H8 
butane butane C4H10 
pentane pentane C5H12 

The first five members of the alkane homologous series

Exam Tip

For your exam, you need to be able to name, draw and give the appropriate formula for the first five alkanes.

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