Preparation Methods and Properties of Alkanes

Alkanes are a group of hydrocarbons that have the general formula CnH2n+2. They are the simplest form of hydrocarbons and are composed of only carbon and hydrogen. Alkanes can be prepared by a variety of methods, including simple distillation, cracking, and reforming. In this blog post, we will discuss the preparation methods and properties of alkanes.

What is Alkanes?

Alkanes are the simplest type of hydrocarbon and they have the general chemical alkane formula is CnH(+/-)m where n is the number of carbons atoms and m is the number of hydrogen atoms. The alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons, which means that each carbon atom in an alkane molecule is bonded to the maximum number of hydrogen atoms (i.e. there are no double or triple bonds between carbons).

General Formula of Alkane:

The alkane formula is CnH(+/-) where n is the number of carbons in the molecule. The ‘+/-‘ denotes that there may be a charge on the molecule. The alkanes are a group of organic compounds that contain only carbon and hydrogen atoms.

Properties of Alkanes:

There are different properties of alkanes depending on the number of carbons in the molecule. The boiling point and melting point of alkanes increase with the number of carbons in the molecule. The solubility of alkanes in water decreases with the number of carbons in the molecule. Alkanes are insoluble in water. Alkanes are flammable and they burn in air to produce carbon dioxide and water.

• The boiling point of an alkane is the temperature at which the vapour pressure of the liquid is equal to the atmospheric pressure. The boiling point of an alkane increases with the number of carbons in the molecule.
• The melting point of an alkane is the temperature at which the solid alkane turns into a liquid. The melting point of an alkane increases with the number of carbons in the molecule.
• The solubility of alkane is the amount of alkane that can be dissolved in a given amount of solvent. The solubility of an alkane in water decreases with the number of carbons in the molecule. Alkanes are insoluble in water.
• Alkanes are flammable and they burn in air to produce carbon dioxide and water. The combustion of alkanes is an exothermic reaction, which means that it releases heat.

Preparation Methods of Alkanes

There are two main methods for the preparation of alkanes: natural gas extraction and fractional distillation of petroleum.

Natural gas is a mixture of methane (CH₄) and other alkanes, which is extracted from the ground. This gas is then fractionally distilled to separate the different alkanes.

Petroleum is a mixture of alkanes and other compounds, which is also extracted from the ground. This liquid is then fractionally distilled to separate the different alkanes.

Preparation of alkaline from unsaturated hydrocarbons:

Unsaturated hydrocarbons can be converted into alkanes by a process called catalytic cracking. In this process, a catalyst is used to break the double bonds in the hydrocarbon molecules. This results in the formation of alkanes with shorter carbon chains.

Preparation of alkaline from carboxylic acids:

Carboxylic acids can be converted into alkanes by a process called decarboxylation. In this process, the carboxylic acid is heated in the presence of a catalyst. This results in the loss of the carbon dioxide molecule, and the formation of an alkane.

Preparation of alkanes from alcohols:

Alcohol can be converted into alkanes by a process called dehydration. In this process, the alcohol is heated in the presence of a catalyst. This results in the loss of water, and the formation of an alkane.

Preparation of alkanes from halides:

Halides can be converted into alkanes by a process called dehydrohalogenation. In this process, the halide is heated in the presence of a catalyst. This results in the loss of hydrogen chloride, and the formation of an alkane. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, alkanes are a type of hydrocarbon with a general formula of CnH₂n+₂. They can be prepared by various methods, such as fractional distillation of crude oil or natural gas. Alkanes have many properties that make them useful, such as their high boiling point and low reactivity. ALkanes are also nonpolar, meaning they do not dissolve in water. This makes them ideal for use as lubricants and fuels. Thanks for reading! I hope this article was informative and helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below.