Alkanes

Alkanes are saturated open chain hydrocarbons containing carbon - carbon single bonds. Methane (CH₄) is the first member of this family. Methane is a gas found in coal mines and marshy places. The hydrocarbon with molecular formula C₂H₆ known as ethane. Thus you can consider C₂H₆ as derived from CH₄ by replacing one hydrogen atom by –CH₃ group. The next molecules will be C₃H₈ C₄H₁₀…

These hydrocarbons are inert under normal conditions as they do not react with acids, bases and other reagents. Hence, they were earlier known as paraffins. In alkanes, tetrahedra are joined together in which C-C and C-H bond lengths are 154 pm and 112 pm respectively.

Uses of Alkanes

Alkanes are very versatile and are being used as solvents, heating oils, fuels, in fat synthesis, in the synthesis of fatty acids by air oxidation, in the manufacture of albumen, in the transformation to olefins, etc. The latter are starting materials for the preparation of alkyl benzenes which play an important role in the synthesis of degradable detergents.

Methane:

Methane in form of natural gas is used for running scooters, cars, buses, etc. LPG is used as a fuel in homes as well as in industry.  Methane plays an important role in the generation of a carbon dioxide-hydrogen mixture either by incomplete combustion of methane and/or by reaction of the alkane with water vapor. It is used for manufacture of halogen containing compounds such as CH₂Cl_2, CHCL₃ etc. which are used as solvents both in laboratory and industry.

Catalytic oxidation of alkanes gives alcohols, aldehydes and carboxylic acids.

Higher alkanes in form gasoline, kerosene oil, diesel, lubricating oils and paraffin wax are widely used.