Hydrocarbons

Section 1.2
 Learning Goals
• By the end of this lesson I will be able to name alkanes, alkenes and alkynes,
cyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons using the IUPAC naming system from
various types of representation
• By the end of this lesson I will be able to draw (using various methods)
alkanes, alkenes and alkynes, cyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons from their
IUPAC names
• By the end of this lesson I will be able to compare the physical properties of
alkanes, alkenes and alkynes, cyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons
 Hydrocarbons
• Organic compounds containing only C and H
• The backbone of all organic compounds
• Can be divided in to 2 groups:
• Saturated: all C atoms are bonded to 4 separate atoms (single
bonds only)
• Unsaturated: at least 1 double/triple bond between 2 C
atoms
 Alkanes: Saturated Hydrocarbons
• Contain only single bonds
• General Formula CnH2n+2
• ** this formula tells you the chemical make-up of the compound, it does not tell you
the structure of the compound, but it can still be helpful (think isomers)
• We will look at substituent groups/side groups as we learn naming
 Representing Hydrocarbons
• There are a number of ways to draw organic compounds
• (Pg. 16, Table 1.1 – includes description of each model)

Name of Model Example

Empirical Molecular Formula C3H8

Expanded Molecular Formula

Structural Formula

Condensed structural Formula

Line Structural Formula

 Naming Alkanes
• The IUPAC naming system (most organic compound have common names, but
you must also learn the IUPAC naming system)
• 3 part naming system (for all organic compounds)
• Root: gives the number of C in the longest CONTINUOUS carbon chain (parent chain)
• Prefix: gives the position & name of branches coming off of the parent chain (side groups)
• Suffix: indicates what type of organic compound it is (alkanes have suffix “ane”)
 Naming Alkanes
# of C Root Name Side Group # of C Root Name Side Group
atoms Name atoms6 Name
1 Meth- Methyl- 6 Hex- Hexyl-
2 Eth- Ethyl- 7 Hept- Heptyl-
3 Prop- Propyl- 8 Oct- Octyl-
4 But- Butyl- 9 Non- Nonyl-
5 Pent- Pentyl- 10 Dec- Decyl-
 Naming Alkanes
1. Identify longest continuous C chain –
Find the root name (does not have to be
straight)
2. Identify the suffix (identifies type of
organic compound)
3. Identify any side groups, determine
their name & location (number the C
atoms for the LOWEST possible number
for side groups. Count from R to L or L
to R)
 Naming Alkanes
4. Name compound beginning with
the side groups in ALPHA order,
including the location #
5. If there is more than 1 of the same
side group you must use all of the
numbers, and the prefix di-, tri-, etc.
5-ethyl-4-methylnonane
6. Finish with the root and suffix of
the parent chain ** Numbers and letters always separated by hyphen ‘ - ’
** Numbers always separated from eachother by commas ‘ , ’
Naming Alkanes
 Drawing Alkanes
1. Identify the parent chain (last part • 2,2-dimethyl-4-propylnonane
of the given name)
2. Draw the parent chain
3. Add the side chains to appropriate
C atoms
 Practice Naming & Drawing
• Pg. 19 # 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10

• Pg. 21 # 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22

 Physical Properties of Alkanes
• Alkanes are non-polar
• Dissolve in non-polar substances (remember like dissolves like)
• Copy table 1.5: Size and Boiling Points of Alkanes (pg. 21)
• Boiling points tend to increase as chain length and number of C increases
• Shape of molecule does play a role, straight chains have higher boiling points than
branched chains with the same total number of C
 Alkenes
• Hydrocarbons with at least 1 C=C double bond
• Unsaturated hydrocarbon
• General Formula: CnH2n
• Represented in the same
way as alkanes, but with
double bond
 Naming Alkenes
• Location of the double bond is very important, must be indicated in name
• Us the same rules as naming alkanes, but parent chain must include C=C
• Number C so that the double bond is at the lowest number (it is considered
part of the 1st C atom it is attached to)
• Suffix for alkenes is “ene”
• Location (C #) of double bond is between root and suffix
Naming Alkenes
 Drawing Alkenes
• Same rules as drawing alkanes
• Start with the parent chain and add the double bond
• Fill in the rest of the side chains
 Practice Naming & Drawing
• Pg. 26 # 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33
• Pg. 27 # 35, 37, 39, 41, 43b, 44
 Physical Properties of Alkenes
• Similar properties to alkanes
• Non-polar, dissolve in other non-polar substances
• 2-4 C chains are gas at room temp
• Mid-length chains are liquid, long chains solid at room temp
• Boiling points are slightly lower than comparable alkane chains
• Location of double bond affects properties, as does the form of diastereomer
 Alkynes
• Hydrocarbons with at least one triple bond between C
• Unsaturated
• General formula: CnH2n-2
• Represented in the same way as alkanes and alkenes
 Naming and Drawing Alkynes
• Follows the same rules as alkynes
• Suffix is “yne”
 Practice Naming & Drawing
• Pg. 30 # 45, 47, 49ac, 51, 53
 Physical Properties of Alkynes
• Similar to other hydrocarbons
• Non-polar
• Insoluble in water
• Higher boiling points than alkanes or alkenes, due to more linear structure
 Cyclic Hydrocarbons

• Hydrocarbon chains that form a ring structure

• May be alkanes, alkenes or alkynes (rare-unstable)
 Naming & Drawing Cyclic Hydrocarbons
• Use the same rules as alkanes/alkenes/alkynes
• Add the “cyclo” before root name ex. cyclopentane
• If the cyclic hydrocarbon is the sidechain, same rule applies: cyclopentyl____
 Practice Naming & Drawing
• Pg. 34 # 55, 57, 59, 61, 63
 Properties of Cyclic Hydrocarbons
• Similar to straight chain hydrocarbons
• Boiling points are slightly higher

• All hydrocarbons up to this point are also called “aliphatic” compounds

Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Their own class of hydrocarbon

• Based on presence of benzene ring

• Make up many organic compounds with intense aromas
• A 6 C cyclic hydrocarbon with 1 H bonded to each C
• Bond length in-between length of single & double bond – electrons are
delocalized (shared by all 6 C)
• It is very stable (unsaturated hydrocarbons usually more reactive than saturated)
 Naming & Drawing Aromatic Hydrocarbons

• For simple compounds, benzene ring is the root and side chains are named
using their alkyl prefixes.
• If more than one side chain is present, number C in direction to give lowest
number combination (any C can be C 1)
• If only 1 side chain there is no need to number
• For more complex compounds, benzene can be a side chain “phenyl”
• Drawing follows the same rules as any other hydrocarbon
 Practice Naming & Drawing
• Pg. 38 # 65, 67, 69, 73, 74
Physical Properties of Aromatic Hydrocarbons

• Liquid at room temperature

• Boiling points similar to aliphatic counterparts
• Have strong odours
 Success Criteria
• Draw the following hydrocarbon: 2-phenyl-4,4-diethylnonane

• Name the following hydrocarbon:

• Put the following in order of decreasing boiling points:

hexane, 2,3-dimethylbutane, cyclohexane, hex-2-yne,
3 4 1 2
 Homework
• Complete the Practice Questions listed throughout powerpoint
• Pg. 19 # 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, Pg. 21 # 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22
• Pg. 26 # 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, Pg. 27 # 35, 37, 39, 41, 43b, 44
• Pg. 30 # 45, 47, 49ac, 51, 53
• Pg. 38 # 65, 67, 69, 73, 74
• Also: Pg. 36 # 25-27, 30