How would you identify which of the following compounds is an alkane: CH2O, C6H14, or C3H4?

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How would you identify which of the following compounds is an alkane: CH2O, C6H14, or C3H4?

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Answer 1 · 2015-11-25T04:45:21

$C_{6} H_{14}$ $C_6H_14$ is the alkane from the given compounds.

Explanation:

The general formula of alkanes is $C_{n} H_{2 n + 2}$ $C_nH_(2n+2)$

Let's apply the formula for the compound $C H_{2} O$ $CH_2O$ . Here $C$ $C$ = 1, $H$ $H$ = 2. But from the alkane general formula, $H$ $H$ should have been equal to $2 n + 2$ $2n + 2$ = $4$ $4$ . The calculation is as follows:

$2 n + 2$ $2n + 2$
= $2 (1) + 2$ $2(1) + 2$
= $2 + 2$ $2 + 2$
= $4$ $4$

Let's apply the formula for the compound $C_{3} H_{4}$ $C_3H_4$ . Here $C$ $C$ = 3, $H$ $H$ = 4. But from the alkane general formula, $H$ $H$ should have been equal to $2 n + 2$ $2n + 2$ = $8$ $8$ . The calculation is as follows:

$2 n + 2$ $2n + 2$
= $2 (3) + 2$ $2(3) + 2$
= $6 + 2$ $6 + 2$
= $8$ $8$

And now, let's apply the formula for the compound $C_{6} H_{14}$ $C_6H_14$ . Here $C$ $C$ = 6, $H$ $H$ = 14. This fits the number of $C$ $C$ and $H$ $H$ atoms calculated from the general alkane formula.

$2 n + 2$ $2n + 2$
= $2 (6) + 2$ $2(6) + 2$
= $12 + 2$ $12 + 2$
= $14$ $14$

As the formula $C_{n} H_{2 n + 2}$ $C_nH_(2n+2)$ fits the compound $C_{6} H_{14}$ $C_6H_14$ as calculated above, we can say that $C_{6} H_{14}$ $C_6H_14$ is an alkane.

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How would you identify which of the following compounds is an alkane: CH2O, C6H14, or C3H4?

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