What Is Alkanes, Types of alkanes, Uses and Disadvantages ?

What Is Alkanes :

In organic chemistry, an alkane is an acyclic saturated hydrocarbon. In other words, alkane contains carbon and hydrogen which is attached by single bond. It is having the general formula C_nH_2n+2. In the case of alkane, the C-atom is sp³ hybridised with four sigma bonds.

Types Of Alkanes:

1. Linear alkanes

Straight chain alkanes are indicated by the prefix ‘n-‘.

Example : n-Pentane

Methane – CH₄

Ethane – C₂H₆

Propane – C₃H₈

Butane – C₄H₁₀

Pentane – C₅H₁₂

Hexane – C₆H₁₄

2. Branched alkane

The branched alkane is indicated by some specific prefix to distinguish from linear alkane.

For example: n-Pentane by isopentane or neopentane.

Uses of Alkanes :

• Methane and ethane are the main components of natural gas, they stored under pressure.
• The first four alkanes are used for heating and cooking purposes.
• They are used to generate electricity.
• Propane and butane gases are stored under low pressure and is known as Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) and is used for cooking.
• Some synthetic polymers called polyethylene and polypropylene contains number of repeated units of carbon atom.
• It’s a major component of lubricating oil and is called anti corrosive agent.

Disadvantages of Alkanes :

• It is the main contributor of Green house Gas and causes global warming.
• In humans, the high concentration of alkanes causes anaesthetic effects or narcosis.
• Highly explosive.

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