O-chem glossary (1)

compounds composed of carbon and hydrogen

hydrocarbons whose carbon-carbon bonds are all single bonds.

hydrocarbons containing carbon-carbon multiple bonds.

saturated hydrocarbons. The simplest is methane.

109.5 degrees

"normal' strings or chains of carbon atoms (no branching).

C_nH_2n+2


Where n represents carbon atoms.

• methane
• ethane
• propane
• n-butane
• n-pentane
• n-hexane
• n-heptane
• n-octane
• n-nonane
• n-decane

• When two molecules have the same atoms but different bonds. The molecules have the same formulas but different arrangement of atoms. Structural isomers have different properties. 
• e.g. n-butane and isobutane

when a group is substituted for a hydrogen on an alkane chain.

When an alkane functions as a substituent. e.g. When methane CH₄ becomes methyl -CH₃.