The Homologous Series - organic chemistry
The millions of organic compounds existent can be broken down into categories or series, due to their properties, called homologous series.
A Homologous series is a group of organic compounds which are classified together due to their similarities in properties i.e. chemical behavior etc
N.B. Hydrocarbons are organic compounds containing hydrogen and carbon ONLY
Hydrocarbons comprise of the following:
Alkanes
Alkanes make up the simplest homologous series. They are saturated i.e. they contain c-c bonds only. They are relatively unreactive
General formula: Cn H2n +2
First four members
Methane C1 H4
Ethane C2 H6
Propane C3 H8
Butane C4 H10
Alkenes
Alkenes contains carbon to carbon double bonds and are unsaturated
General formula: Cn H2n
First four members
Methene C1 H2
Ethene C2 H4
Propene C3 H6
Butene C4 H8