Hydrocarbons

What Are Hydrocarbons?

Hydrocarbons are organic compounds that are entirely made up of only two kinds of atoms – carbon and hydrogen. Typically, hydrocarbons are colourless gases that have very weak odours. Hydrocarbons can feature simple or relatively complex structures and can be generally classified into four subcategories, namely alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and aromatic hydrocarbons. The study of hydrocarbons can provide insight into the chemical properties of other functional groups and their preparation. Furthermore, hydrocarbons such as propane and butane are used for commercial fuel purposes in the form of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). Benzene, one of the simplest aromatic hydrocarbons, serves as the raw material for the synthesis of many synthetic drugs.

Structure of Hydrocarbon

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Table of Contents

• Classification
• Properties
• Preparation
• Uses

The molecular formula for these compounds is C_xH_y. The existence of hydrocarbons is seen in plants and trees. For example, Carotenes is an organic pigment that is found in green leaves and carrots. These hydrocarbons make up 98% of natural crude rubber. Further, they possess large internal energy, which renders them their importance.

⇒ Check: Basic Concepts of Organic Chemistry

Classification and Types of Hydrocarbons

Earlier, chemists classified hydrocarbons as either aliphatic or aromatic. The classification was done based on their source and properties. And accordingly, it was found that aliphatic hydrocarbons were derived from the chemical degradation of fats or oils, whereas aromatic hydrocarbons contained substances that were a result of the chemical degradation of certain plant extracts. However, today we classify hydrocarbons on the basis of structure and not merely on their origin.

Classification of Hydrocarbons

Types of Hydrocarbons

• Saturated Hydrocarbons: In these compounds, carbon-carbon atoms and carbon-hydrogen atoms are held together by single bonds. These single-bonded compounds are the simplest hydrocarbons. These types of hydrocarbons don’t have double or triple bonds. In terms of hybridization, they have Sp³ hybridised carbon atoms with no Sp² or Sp hybridised carbon atoms. They are together called alkanes which have a general formula of C_nH_2n+2. For example, CH₄C₃H₆.
• Unsaturated Hydrocarbons: These compounds consist of a single, double or triple bond between carbon-carbon atoms. The double-bonded compounds are called alkenes, and the triple-bonded compounds are called alkynes. The general formula for alkenes is C_nH_2n, and for alkynes, the general formula is C_nH_2n-2.
• Cycloalkanes: These hydrocarbons possess one or multiple carbon rings. The hydrogen atom is attached to the carbon ring.
• Aromatic Hydrocarbons: They are also called arenes. Arenes are compounds which consist of at least one aromatic ring.
• Aliphatic Hydrocarbons: They are straight chain structures having no rings in them.
• Alicyclic Hydrocarbons: They are hydrocarbons having a ring structure in them. The carbons atoms can be Sp, Sp², or Sp³ hybridised.

Properties of Hydrocarbons

Due to their different molecular structures, the empirical formula of hydrocarbons is also different from each other. For instance, in alkanes, alkynes or alkenes, the amount of bonded hydrogen decreases in alkenes and alkynes. This is mainly due to the “self-bonding” or catenation of carbon that prevents the complete saturation of the hydrocarbon by the formation of double or triple bonds. The ability of hydrocarbons to bond to themselves is known as catenation. With such capabilities, they can form more complex molecules like cyclohexane and, in rare instances, aromatic hydrocarbons like benzene.

The cracking of Hydrocarbons is a process in which heavy organic molecules are broken down into lighter molecules. This is accomplished by supplying an adequate amount of heat and pressure. Sometimes, catalysts are used to speed up the reaction. This process plays a very important role in the commercial production of diesel fuel and gasoline.

⇒ Check: Combustion of Hydrocarbons

Physical Properties

Alkanes with 10 C-atoms or less are generally gases at room temperatures of more than 10 C-atoms, and the molecules are gases or liquids. Alkanes generally have low boiling and melting points owing to their weak Vanderwal interaction.

The boiling point depends on the following factors:

• Molecular mass
• Branching

Alkanes have high molecular mass and high boiling points. For example, C₂H₆ has more boiling point than CH_4.

Alkanes that have the same molecular mass but have a different number of branches, the one with less branching has a more boiling point. This is because Vanderwal’s force becomes weak as the area increases.

For example, CH₃-CH₂-CH₂-CH₃ has more boiling point. Alkanes are very feebly soluble in water, but they are soluble in non-polar solvents such as Benzene, CCl₄, etc.

Preparation of Hydrocarbons – Alkanes

From alkenes and alkynes

The alkanes can be produced from alkenes or alkynes through hydrogenation. H₂ gas is passed over a metal surface, such as Ni or Pt, along with the alkenes to produce alkane.

CH₂=CH₂ → (+Hz/Ni) CH₃-CH₃

The above reaction is called the “Sabatier-Sender son’s” reaction. Other catalysts which can be used are Pt, Pd-BaSo₄, Adams catalyst (Pt₂O) or Wilkinson catalyst (R₃PRhCl), etc.

From Alkyl Halides

Alkyl halides can be converted to alkanes through various methods. They are as follows.

1. Using Zn/Protic solvents

2. Using courts reactions

Note: Alkanes with only an even number of carbons atoms can be produced.

3. Using Reducing Agents

R-X → [H]R – H

The reducing agents which can be used are LiAlH₄, NaBH₄, NaNH₂, etc.

Note:

• LiAlH₄  can’t reduce 3° halides.
• NaBH₄ can’t reduce 1° halide.

2. From Aldehydes/Ketones

• Clemmensen’s Reduction
• Wolf-Kishner Reduction

3. From Carboxylic Acids through Decarboxylation

• Kolbe’s Electrolysis
• Using Soda-lime

⇒ Also Read: Pyrolysis of Hydrocarbons

Preparation of Hydrocarbons – Alkenes

General formula: C_nH_2n

Preparation Methods

Most of the reactions involving the preparation of alkenes involve an elimination process. There are 3 mechanisms suggested for the elimination reactions, and all these are β- eliminations.

E₂ Mechanism

• Second order kinetics
• Single step process
• Order & reactivity 1° > 2° > 3°

Because of steric hindrance,

• More favoured in non-polar, aprotic solvents.
• Less substituted alkenes formed as the major product.

E₁ Mechanism

• Two-step process
• 1^st order kinetics
• Order of reactivity: 3° > 2° > 1°

Because of the stability of carbonation,

• More favoured by polar, protic solvents.
• Rearrangement is possible.
• Gives more substituted alkenes as major products.

Hydration

(i) Acid catalysed

• Markovnikov product
• Rearrangement is possible.

(ii) Hydroboration-oxidation

• Anti – Markonikov
• No rearrangement

(iii) Oxymercuration-demercuration

• Markovnikov
• No rearrangement

Oxidation Reactions

• Using Baeyer’s reagent
• Using hot KMnO₄
• Ozonolysis
• Using O₅O₄
• Addition of peroxy acid

Preparation of Hydrocarbons – Alkynes

Alkynes can be prepared from alkyl halides and alcohols.

Addition reaction:

All addition reactions in alkenes are possible.

Benzene – Preparation

• From ethyne
• From phenol
• From aniline

Chemical Properties:

Benzene generally undergoes electrophilic substitution reactions.

• Friedel Crafts alkylation, halogenation and acylation
• Nitration

Uses of Hydrocarbons

• Hydrocarbons are widely used as fuels. For example, LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas), and CNG (Liquefied Natural Gas).
• They are used in the manufacturing of polymers such as polyethene, polystyrene etc.
• These organic compounds find their application in the manufacturing of drugs and dyes as a starting material.
• They serve as lubricating oil and grease.

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