Alkanes

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Total cards: 24•Content version: v4•Public deck•Updated: 8/1/2026

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Front (Question)

Define alkanes.

Back (Answer)

Compounds containing only C-C and C-H single bonds

Front (Question)

What is the general molecular formula for alkanes?

Back (Answer)

CnH2n+2

Front (Question)

What is the general formula for cycloalkanes?

Back (Answer)

CnH2n

Front (Question)

What is each successive member of a homologous series called?

Back (Answer)

a homologue

Front (Question)

What is the repeating unit for alkanes?

Back (Answer)

CH2

Front (Question)

What is CH2 called?

Back (Answer)

Methylene group

Front (Question)

How does each homologue in the alkane series differ from one another?

Back (Answer)

Each homologue has one more C atom than the preceding member

Front (Question)

What is a methylene group?

Back (Answer)

CH2

Front (Question)

Are alkanes and cycloalkanes saturated or unsaturated?

Back (Answer)

They are saturated

#10

Front (Question)

What does saturated mean?

Back (Answer)

They contain the maximum number of H per C and have no double or triple bonds

#11

Front (Question)

What is the definition of a homologous series (in terms of alkanes)? (5)

Back (Answer)

Molecules that have the same general formula Homologues differ by CH2 Contain the same functional group Show gradation in physical properties as molar mass increases Homologues can be prepared by similar methods

#12

Front (Question)

What are branched alkanes?

Back (Answer)

Alkane molecules that have more than three C atoms that can be arranged in more than one way

#13

Front (Question)

How many C atoms are needed in order for an alkane to be branched?

Back (Answer)

Three

#14

Front (Question)

Give an example of an alkane that has a branched form.

Back (Answer)

Butane

#15

Front (Question)

What is the branched form of butane?

Back (Answer)

Isobutane

#16

Front (Question)

Describe the structure of isobutane.

Back (Answer)

2, methylpropane A methyl branch exists off the second carbon in the longest chain

#17

Front (Question)

In general when is ‘iso’ used in relation to branched alkanes?

Back (Answer)

When there is one methyl group attached to the longest carbon chain

#18

Front (Question)

In general when is ‘neo’ used in relation to branched alkanes?

Back (Answer)

When there is two methyl groups attached to the carbon chain

#19

Front (Question)

What is an unbranched alkane often called? 3

Back (Answer)

An n-alkane A normal alkane An unbranched alkane

#20

Front (Question)

How many structural isomers does pentane have?

Back (Answer)

Three

#21

Front (Question)

List the three structural isomers of pentane.

Back (Answer)

Pentane Methylbutane / isopentane Dimethylpropane / Neopentane

#22

Front (Question)

What is methylbutane more commonly called?

Back (Answer)

Isopentane

#23

Front (Question)

What is dimethylpropane more commonly called?

Back (Answer)

Neopentane

#24

Front (Question)

What is nomenclature?

Back (Answer)

The naming of organic compounds