Question

Why are alkanes relatively unreactive?

Answer 1

1. Alkanes are the organic compounds in which there is a single bond between Carbon and Hydrogen and Carbon and Carbon.
2. The general formula for alkanes${\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{H}}_{2\mathrm{n}+2}$, where n is the number of carbon atoms.
3. Alkanes are divided into three categories - Chain alkanes, Cycloalkanes, and branched alkanes.
4. Alkanes and cycloalkanes are the least reactive organic compounds only except for Cyclopropane.
5. Alkanes generally have the Carbon-Carbon single bond and Carbon-Hydrogen single bonds.
6. They are generally unreactive as only bonds $\mathrm{C}-\mathrm{C}\mathrm{and}\mathrm{C}-\mathrm{H}$ are comparatively strong and difficult to break.
7. This is the reason why Alkanes are unreactive.