Organic Chemistry Hydrocarbons contain carbon and hydrogen. If all the bonds on the carbon atoms are single bonds, then the hydrocarbon is a Saturated Hydrocarbon. Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons. They only contain single bonds.

Alkanes Have the general formula C n H 2n+2 (where n= the number of carbon atoms). When naming them, the name ends in –ane. All the carbons are bonded to 4 other atoms.

Name Molecular Formula C n H 2n+2 Structural Formula Model Methane Ethane

Propane Butane 2-Methylpropane (an isomer of butane)

Example 1: Draw: 3-ethylheptane

Example 2: Draw: 2,7-dimethylnonane

Example 3: Draw: 4-ethyl-2,4,5-trimethyloctane

Example 4: 3,3,4,4-tetraethyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethylhexane

Cycloalkanes All single bonds between the carbon atoms. Have the general formula C n H 2n The ends of the carbon chain have bonded together to form a “ring” of carbons (lose 2 hydrogen atoms when this happens).

Examples: Draw: cyclobutane 1,3-dimethylcylcopentane 1-ethyl-3-methyl-2-propylcyclobutane

Rules for naming: 1) Find the parent chain (the longest continuous chain of carbon atoms); helpful to circle or put a box around the parent chain. 2) Number the carbon atoms on the parent chain so that the branches get the lowest combination of numbers; you can number it left to right or right to left. 3) Name the branches with –yl ending; if there are multiple of the same branch, use a prefix with the branch (di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, hexa-, hepta-, octa-) 4) Put the branches with their # in alphabetical order. 5) The parent chain name goes at the end and ends in –ane.