The Chemistry of Carbon Compounds

Alkanes are the simplest and the least reactive hydrocarbon species containing only carbons and hydrogen. They are commercially very important, for being the principal constituent of gasoline and lubricating oils are extensively employed in organic chemistry. In an alkane, each carbon atom is sp3 hybridized with sigma bonds (either C-C or C-H), and each H-atom is joined to one of the carbon atoms ( in a C-H bond). The longest series of linked carbon atom in a molecule is known as its carbon skeleton/ carbon backbone. The no. of carbon atom. The no.of carbon atoms may be considered as the size of alkane.  Methane: Methane (one carbon bonded to four hydrogens) is the simplest organic molecule. Methane The bonds point to the four corners of the tetrahedron, forming a 108.70-degree bond angle. The carbon atom and the hydrogen atoms within alkanes are connected by single covalent bonds. The number of carbon atoms within an alkane is the main determiner of an alkane.  Alkanes are a ...