Question

Which class of hydrocarbon has only single bonds?

Short answer

The class of hydrocarbons with only single bonds is called alkanes.

Step-by-step solution

Hydrocarbons Introduction

Hydrocarbons are organic compounds consisting only of hydrogen and carbon atoms. They can be categorized based on the types of bonds between the carbon atoms: single, double, or triple bonds.

Identifying the Classes of Hydrocarbons

The three main types of hydrocarbons are alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes. Alkanes contain only single bonds, alkenes have at least one double bond, and alkynes contain at least one triple bond.

Focusing on Alkanes

The class of hydrocarbons that contains only single bonds is alkanes, also known as saturated hydrocarbons.

Key concepts

Organic Compounds

Organic compounds are the foundation of chemistry that deals with carbon-based molecules, including hydrocarbons.
Hydrocarbons are a significant class of organic compounds, consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen. This simplicity allows them to form various structures by arranging the carbon atoms in different ways.
When discussing organic compounds, it's essential to understand how carbon atoms connect and bond with each other to form chains or rings. These bonds give organic compounds their diverse characteristics and the potential for a wide range of chemical reactions.
Organic compounds are not only crucial in chemistry but also in biological systems, as they are the building blocks of cells and essential to life. Their ability to form complex structures is due to carbon's ability to form four covalent bonds with other atoms, leading to a vast array of possible compounds.

Alkanes

Alkanes represent the simplest type of hydrocarbons, making them a perfect starting point for studying organic chemistry.
These compounds are sometimes known as saturated hydrocarbons because they contain only single bonds between carbon atoms. This means every carbon atom in an alkane is bonded to the maximum number of hydrogen atoms possible.
Common examples of alkanes include:

• Methane (\(CH_4\))
• Ethane (\(C_2H_6\))
• Propane (\(C_3H_8\))

Their simple structure leads to properties that are generally non-polar, making them insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents.
The lack of reactive double or triple bonds in alkanes means they are relatively stable and not prone to participating in chemical reactions, apart from combustion.

Chemical Bonds

Chemical bonds are the forces that hold atoms together in molecules, and they define the structure and behavior of compounds.
In hydrocarbons, especially alkanes, the primary type of bond is the covalent bond. Covalent bonds occur when atoms share pairs of electrons, creating a stable configuration that ties atoms together firmly.
For alkanes:

• Only single covalent bonds are present between carbon atoms
• Each hydrogen atom forms a single covalent bond with a carbon atom

These single bonds in alkanes create a zig-zag chain or a branched structure, both of which contribute to the morphology of the molecule.
The nature of these bonds ensures that alkanes are fairly unreactive under normal conditions, but they can undergo reactions like combustion, where they react with oxygen to release energy as heat.