Question

What is an alkyne? What structural feature characterizes alkynes? Give the general formula for alkynes.

Short answer

An alkyne is a hydrocarbon containing at least one carbon-carbon triple bond. The presence of this triple bond is the key structural feature that characterizes alkynes. The general formula for alkynes is \(C_nH_{2n-2}\), where n represents the number of carbon atoms in the molecule. This formula reflects the fact that alkynes have fewer hydrogen atoms than alkenes and alkanes due to their triple bond structure.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of Alkyne

An alkyne is a hydrocarbon that contains at least one carbon-carbon triple bond. Hydrocarbons are organic compounds consisting of only carbon and hydrogen atoms. They are classified based on the types of bonds they contain, and alkynes are one of the categories, where they have a triple bond.

Structural Feature of Alkynes

The key structural feature that characterizes alkynes is the presence of a carbon-carbon triple bond. In a triple bond, there are one sigma bond and two pi bonds between the two carbon atoms. The triple bond is responsible for the unique properties of alkynes, such as their high bond energy and reactivity.

General Formula of Alkynes

The general formula for alkynes is \(C_nH_{2n-2}\), where n is the number of carbon atoms in the molecule. This formula represents the fact that alkynes have fewer hydrogen atoms than alkenes (which have a double bond) and alkanes(substances with only single bonds), due to their triple bond having two pi bonds and only one sigma bond that allows for the addition of hydrogen atoms.