Question

What is the term used for describing hydrocarbon with the general formula ${\text{C}}_{\text{n}}{\text{H}}_{\text{2n+2}}$?

Answer 1

Hydrocarbon

• The name 'hydrocarbon' is self-explanatory, referring to the compounds of hydrogen and carbon only.
• Hydrocarbon with the general formula ${\text{C}}_{\text{n}}{\text{H}}_{\text{2n+2}}$ is alkane.

Alkane

• Alkanes are saturated open-chain hydrocarbons containing carbon-carbon single bonds.
• Examples of alkanes are ethane$\left({\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_6\right)$, propane$\left({\mathrm{C}}_3{\mathrm{H}}_8\right)$.

Hence, alkane is the term used for describing hydrocarbon with the general formula ${\text{C}}_{\text{n}}{\text{H}}_{\text{2n+2}}$.