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Chapter 22: Problem 55

The general formula of an alkane is \(\mathrm{C}_{n} \mathrm{H}_{2 n+2}\). What is the general formula of an (a) alkene? (b) alkyne? (c) alcohol derived from an alkane?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The general formulas for these compounds are as follows: - Alkene: \(\mathrm{C}_{n} \mathrm{H}_{2 n}\) - Alkyne: \(\mathrm{C}_{n} \mathrm{H}_{2 n-2}\) - Alcohol derived from alkane: \(\mathrm{C}_{n} \mathrm{H}_{2 n+2}\) (with a hydroxyl (OH) group instead of one hydrogen atom)

Step by step solution

01

(Step 1: Alkene general formula)

In alkenes, there is a carbon-carbon double bond. Because the double bond uses up two hydrogen atoms (compared to a carbon-carbon single bond in alkanes), the general formula for alkenes becomes \(\mathrm{C}_{n} \mathrm{H}_{2 n}\).
02

(Step 2: Alkyne general formula)

In alkynes, there is a carbon-carbon triple bond. The triple bond replaces two carbon-hydrogen bonds (compared to a carbon-carbon single bond in alkanes), so we need to subtract another two hydrogen atoms from the alkane general formula. The general formula for alkynes becomes \(\mathrm{C}_{n} \mathrm{H}_{2 n-2}\).
03

(Step 3: Alcohol derived from alkane general formula)

In alcohols, there is a hydroxyl (OH) group connected to a carbon atom. To derive an alcohol from an alkane, we need to replace one of the hydrogen atoms in an alkane with an OH group. Therefore, the general formula for an alcohol derived from an alkane remains the same as the general formula for alkanes, which is \(\mathrm{C}_{n} \mathrm{H}_{2 n+2}\). The difference between alkanes and alcohol is the functional group (OH) instead of one hydrogen atom, but the general formula stays the same.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The \(K_{\mathrm{b}}\) for ethylamine \(\left(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{CH}_{2} \mathrm{NH}_{2}\right)\) is \(4.3 \times 10^{-4}\). What is the \(\mathrm{pH}\) of a \(0.250 \mathrm{M}\) solution of ethylamine? Compare with the \(\mathrm{pH}\) of a \(0.250 \mathrm{M}\) solution of ammonia \(\left(K_{b}=1.86 \times 10^{-5}\right)\).

Draw the structural isomers of the alkane \(\mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{14} .\)

Name the products formed when the following reagents add to 1-butene. (a) \(\mathrm{H}_{2}\) (b) \(\mathrm{Br}_{2}\)

Write structural formulas for the following alkanes. (a) \(2,2,4\) -trimethylpentane (b) 2,2 -dimethylpropane (c) 4-isopropyloctane (d) \(2,3,4\) -trimethylheptane

Which of the following can show optical isomerism? (a) 2-bromo-2-chlorobutane (b) 2 -methylpropane (c) 2,2-dimethyl-1-butanol (d) 2,2,4-trimethylpentane
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