Question

How will you identify a hydrocarbon from its name.

Answer 1

1. In order to identify a hydrocarbon from its name check the ending of the name.
2. If the name ends with "ane" then it is an alkane and hydrocarbon is a saturated hydrocarbon.
3. Example of alkane: Methane (${\mathbf{CH}}_{\mathbf{4}}$)
4. If the name ends with "ene" then it is an alkene and hydrocarbon is an unsaturated hydrocarbon containing at least a double bond.
5. Example of alkene: Ethene (${\mathbf{CH}}_{\mathbf{2}}\mathbf{=}{\mathbf{CH}}_{\mathbf{2}}$)
6. If the name ends with "yne" then it is an alkyne and hydrocarbon is an unsaturated hydrocarbon containing at least a triple bond.
7. Example of alkyne: Ethyne ($\mathbf{CH}\mathbf{\equiv }\mathbf{CH}$)
8. Therefore, to check the hydrocarbon from its name focus on the ending letters in the name.