/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 33 Explain why alkanes are relative... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91影视

91影视

Log out

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 19: Problem 33

Explain why alkanes are relatively unreactive.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Alkanes are relatively unreactive due to their stable molecular structure, strong and nonpolar C-H and C-C bonds, and the lack of readily accessible reactive sites. They neither have significant dipole moments nor contain double or triple bonds or functional groups, making them less prone to react with polar reagents. Although alkanes can participate in combustion, substitution, and free-radical reactions, these processes usually require high activation energy or a catalyst to overcome the energy barrier created by their strong bonds.

Step by step solution

01

Introduction to Alkanes

Alkanes are a class of organic compounds comprising only carbon and hydrogen atoms, arranged in single bonds (C-H and C-C). They are also known as saturated hydrocarbons because they contain the maximum possible hydrogen atoms for the carbon atoms present. Alkanes have the general molecular formula \(C_nH_{2n+2}\), where n represents the number of carbon atoms.
02

Molecular Structure and Bonding

Alkanes are built up of carbon atoms, which are sp3 hybridized. Each carbon atom forms four single sigma bonds, either with other carbon atoms or hydrogen atoms. The C-H and C-C bonds are strong and have bond energies of roughly 413 kJ/mol and 348 kJ/mol, respectively. This results in a stable and low-energy molecular arrangement. Moreover, alkanes are nonpolar due to the small electronegativity difference between carbon and hydrogen atoms. As a result, there isn't a significant charge separation in the C-H bond, which means that alkanes do not possess any strong dipole moment, making their molecules relatively unreactive towards polar reagents.
03

Lack of Reactive Sites

Alkanes are composed entirely of single bonds, meaning they lack readily accessible reactive sites, such as double or triple bonds between carbon atoms, which are more susceptible to reaction. They also lack functional groups (like -OH, -COOH, -NH2, etc.), which are more chemically active due to localized electron density or the presence of lone pair electrons.
04

Reactions of Alkanes

Despite their low reactivity, alkanes can undergo a few types of reactions, most notably combustion, substitution, and free radical reactions. However, these reactions usually require high activation energy or the presence of a catalyst to overcome the energy barrier produced by the strong C-H and C-C bonds.
05

Conclusion

Alkanes are relatively unreactive due to their molecular structure and bonding characteristics. They contain strong, nonpolar carbon-hydrogen bonds, which are not easily broken and do not react readily with polar reagents. Furthermore, they lack reactive sites such as double or triple bonds, or functional groups, which would make them more chemically active. Their reactivity is mostly limited to combustion, substitution, and free-radical reactions, often requiring the input of high energy or a catalyst to proceed.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91影视!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Unsaturated fats may be converted to saturated fats by the process of _________.

Salicylic acid is an interesting molecule; it is both an acid and an alcohol, having a hydroxyl group attached to the aromatic ring (phenol). For this reason, salicylic acid can undergo two different esterification reactions depending on which functional group of salicylic acid reacts. For example, as discussed in this chapter, when treated with acetic acid-a stronger acid- salicylic acid behaves as an alcohol, and the ester produced is acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). On the other hand, when reacted with methyl alcohol, salicylic acid behaves as an acid, and the ester methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen) is produced. Methyl salicylate is also an analgesic and is part of the formulation of many liniments for sore muscles. Write an equation for the production of each of these esters of salicylic acid.

Give the systematic name for each of the following unsaturated hydrocarbons. a. \(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{CH}=\mathrm{CHCH}_{2} \mathrm{CH}_{2} \mathrm{CH}_{2} \mathrm{CH}_{2} \mathrm{CH}_{2} \mathrm{CH}_{2} \mathrm{CH}_{3}\) b. \(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{CH}=\mathrm{CHCH}_{2} \mathrm{CH}_{2} \mathrm{CH}_{2} \mathrm{CH}_{3}\) c. \(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{CH}_{2} \mathrm{C} \equiv \mathrm{CCH}_{3}\)

An atom or group of atoms that imparts new and characteristic properties to an organic molecule is called a ___________ group.

How is the root name of an alkane modified to indicate that a given hydrocarbon contains a double or triple bond in its longest continuous chain?
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Kinetics

Read Explanation

Nuclear Chemistry

Read Explanation

Organic Chemistry

Read Explanation

Chemistry Branches

Read Explanation

Making Measurements

Read Explanation

Chemical Reactions

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.