Alkanes are the simplest hydrocarbons and are formed only of Carbon and Hydrogen. They are only made up of single bonds and are often known as saturated molecules (Like a sponge is saturated if it’s full of water alkanes are saturated because they are full of hydrogen)
Reactions
Alkanes only undergo three types of reactions, combustion, cracking and radical substitution.
Combustion
Combustion of alkanes is one of the most important reactions in human history. We burn alkanes to release heat and energy to release power for many applications.
Radical Substitution
Radical substitution of an alkane is a three stage reaction. Initiation, Propagation and Termination.
Initiation
Propagation
Termination
Exam tip: Remember 123 – initiation 1 step, propagation 2 steps, termination 3 steps.
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