Nomenclature of Hydrocarbons

Subject: Science

Overview

The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) developed a common system of nomenclature for hydrocarbons, ensuring global consistency in the identification and understanding of compounds. Key hydrocarbons include methane, ethane, propane, and butane. Methane is found in marshy areas and is used in food preparation, fuel, and industry. Ethane is a saturated hydrocarbon found in coal, natural gas, and petroleum mines. Propane is used as a fuel and coolant in the petroleum sector. Butane is used in synthetic rubber production and liquefied petroleum gas.

The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry is known as IUPAC. Scientists created this approach to ensure global consistency in the nomenclature of organic and inorganic substances. A compound has one name, or the same name, under this scheme. By doing this, the error in identifying or comprehending the compounds is eliminated.

Common System of Nomenclature of Hydrocarbons

Based on the number of carbon atoms, determine the word root as follows:

 Number of Carbon atoms   Root Word   Notation 
C-1 Meth C1
C-2 Eth C2
C-3 Prop C3
C-4 But C4
C-5 Pent C5
C-6 Hex C6
C-7 Hept C7
C-8 Oct C8
C-9 Non C9
C-10 Dec C10

In this manner, after determining the word root, add suffixes like "ane," "ene," and "yne" in accordance with the quantity of carbon atom bonds.

For example, CH3 -CH3

The word root is 'eth' since it has two carbon atoms, and since there is only one covalent link between the carbon atoms, the suffix 'ane' should be added.

So, its name is 'eth+ane' = ethane

Some Important Hydrocarbons and Their Compounds

Methane

This gas is sometimes referred to as marsh gas since it is present in marshy areas. CH4 is its molecular formula. Usually, this gas is located above the oil-containing rocks. Sewage gasses and gobar or biogas also include it. It has no flavor, no color, and no smell. It is soluble in organic solvents such as ether, alcohol, etc. but not soluble in water.

Uses of Methane

  • Methane is used as biogas or gobar gas for food preparation as well as a fuel in industry.
  • It is used to make carbon black, an ingredient in printing ink, paint, and shoe shine.
  • Methane may also be used to create other compounds, such as formaldehyde, methyl alcohol, carbon tetrachloride, and chloroform.
  • It is also utilized in industry for the manufacture of hydrogen gas.

Ethane

A single covalent link holds the two carbon atoms in ethane, a saturated hydrocarbon. C2H6 is its molecular formula. It may be found in coal, natural gas, and petroleum mines, along with methane gas. Like methane, it has no color, no smell, and no taste. Moreover, it is soluble in organic solvents like ether and alcohol but insoluble in water.

Uses of Ethane

  • It is utilized in metal welding because it generates heat as it burns.
  • It is also employed in the preparation of carbonic compounds such as nitro ethane, ethyl chloride, etc.

Propane

Another saturated hydrocarbon is propane. Its chemical formula is C3H8, and its molecule is made up of three carbon atoms. Petroleum and natural gas mines also include this gas. The gas has no color and no smell. It is soluble in organic solvents but insoluble in water.

Uses of Propane

  • Due to its great flammability, it is used as a fuel.
  • It is used in the production of several carbon-based compounds.
  • It is used as a coolant in the petroleum sector.

Butane

Another saturated hydrocarbon is butane. Its chemical formula is C4H10, and it has four carbon atoms in its molecule. Petroleum and natural gas mines also include this gas. The gas has no color and no smell. It is soluble in organic solvents but insoluble in water.

Uses of Butane

  • It serves as an input for the production of synthetic rubber.
  • It is combined with methane in a fuel known as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). With pressure, it transforms into a liquid with ease.
Things to remember
  • To ensure consistency in the nomenclature of organic and inorganic substances, scientists created the IUPAC global system.
  • The word root of a compound is determined based on the number of carbon atoms, and suffixes like "ane," "ene," and "yne" are added based on the quantity of carbon atom bonds.
  • Methane, also known as marsh gas, is present in marshy areas and has no flavor, color, or smell. It is used as biogas or gobar gas for food preparation and as a fuel in industry.
  • Ethane is a saturated hydrocarbon with a single covalent link that holds the two carbon atoms and is found in coal, natural gas, and petroleum mines. It is used in metal welding and in the preparation of carbonic compounds.
  • Propane is a saturated hydrocarbon with a chemical formula of C3H8, which is used as a fuel, in the production of several carbon-based compounds, and as a coolant in the petroleum sector.
  • Butane is a saturated hydrocarbon with a chemical formula of C4H10, which is used in the production of synthetic rubber and in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

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