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Chapter 24: Problem 2

What is the difference between aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Aliphatic hydrocarbons are organic compounds consisting of carbon and hydrogen atoms and can be arranged in straight or branched chains, or even non-aromatic rings, while aromatic hydrocarbons contain at least one aromatic ring, and are more stable due to their delocalized pi electrons. Aliphatic hydrocarbons can be saturated or unsaturated, compared to aromatic hydrocarbons that have alternating double and single bonds.

Step by step solution

01

Definition of Aliphatic Hydrocarbons

Aliphatic hydrocarbons are organic compounds. They consist solely of carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) atoms. They can be either saturated, which means all carbon atoms are bonded with single bonds (like in alkanes), or unsaturated, with double or triple carbon-carbon bonds (like in alkenes and alkynes).
02

Definition of Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Aromatic hydrocarbons, also known as arenes, are hydrocarbons which contain at least one aromatic ring. These rings are particularly stable due to delocalized π electrons (conjugation). The most common example of an aromatic hydrocarbon is benzene. Unlike aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons contain alternating double and single bonds, forming highly stable, cyclic structures.
03

Structural Differences

In aliphatic hydrocarbons, the atoms can be arranged in straight chains, branched chains, or non-aromatic rings. In aromatic hydrocarbons, however, the atoms are arranged in one or more rings, which are stabilized by delocalized π electrons. Furthermore, these cyclic structures have to follow Hückel's rule, meaning they must have 4n+2 π electrons to be aromatic.
04

Characteristics

Aliphatic hydrocarbons are usually light, with a lower molecular weight and are less stable than aromatic hydrocarbons, which are usually heavily condensed, with higher molecular weights and additional stability due to resonance of the delocalized electrons.
05

Types

Aliphatic hydrocarbons can be categorized into three types: alkanes (saturated), alkenes and alkynes (both unsaturated). They differ in the types of bonds present between carbon atoms (single, double or triple). Aromatic hydrocarbons' class includes compounds such as benzene, naphthalene etc. These are primarily based on ring structures.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Identify the functional groups in each of the following molecules: (a) \(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{CH}_{2} \mathrm{COCH}_{2} \mathrm{CH}_{2} \mathrm{CH}_{3}\) (b) \(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{COOC}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{5}\) (c) \(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{CH}_{2} \mathrm{OCH}_{2} \mathrm{CH}_{2} \mathrm{CH}_{2} \mathrm{CH}_{3}\)

The compound \(\mathrm{CH}_{3}-\mathrm{C} \equiv \mathrm{C}-\mathrm{CH}_{3}\) is hydrogenated to an alkene using platinum as the catalyst. Predict whether the product is the pure trans isomer, the pure cis isomer, or a mixture of cis and trans isomers. Based on your prediction, comment on the mechanism of the heterogeneous catalysis.

How many different isomers can be derived from ethylene if two hydrogen atoms are replaced by a fluorine atom and a chlorine atom? Draw their structures and name them. Indicate which are structural isomers and which are geometric isomers.

Benzene and cyclohexane molecules both contain six-membered rings. Benzene is a planar molecule, and cyclohexane is nonplanar. Explain.

2-Butanone can be reduced to 2 -butanol by reagents such as lithium aluminum hydride \(\left(\mathrm{LiAlH}_{4}\right)\). (a) Write the formula of the product. Is it chiral? (b) In reality, the product does not exhibit optical activity. Explain.
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