Petroleum is an alkane.
The first thing to determine is that the word we are now dealing with is a neologism. Specifically, it was created from the particle "alc-", which is part of alcohol, and the suffix "-ane", which is used to give the name to hydrocarbons.
An alkane is a hydrocarbon : a chemical compound formed from the combination of carbon and hydrogen. In this case, it is a saturated hydrocarbon, since its covalent bonds are simple.
Characteristics of alkanes
Other important facts about alkanes are the following:
-The formula that defines them is CnH2n+2. In this case, it must be stated that the n corresponds to the number of carbons it has.
-When naming alkanes, it is done using the aforementioned suffix "-ane" and a prefix. This can be of different types, such as the following: «met-«, «but-«, «et-«, «prop-«... Examples of this are methane, propane, butane, ethane...
-Alkanes can be said to be insoluble in water.
-The main use that they are usually given is as fuel. Because? Because, unquestionably, they release a large amount of heat.
-As a general rule, alkanes are divided into four different groups: cyclic, linear, polycyclic and branched.
-Its boiling and melting points are low.
-They are not rigid.
-When analyzing, working and using alkanes, they take on special importance and value, from their combustion to the well-known potential energy diagrams. In the same way, we cannot forget what is known as the Newman projection. This serves to check the energy of the possible conformations that take place.
On planets like Saturn there are also alkanes.
Its structure
In general, alkanes are said to be aliphatic because the structure of their molecules involves an open chain. However, there are also cycloalkanes or cyclic alkanes, which have cyclic type chains. In all cases, alkanes do not have functional groups such as carboxyls, carbonyls or others.
Methane is an alkane that has a single carbon atom . With two carbon atoms we find ethane , while propane has three carbon atoms and butane , four carbon atoms.
Alkanes on Earth and other planets
On our planet , it is possible to find alkanes in oil , natural gas and biogas , among other sources. It is also found in the stomach of cows as methane gas , for example.
It is important to note that alkanes have been found on other planets. Gaseous planets usually have alkanes in their atmosphere , such as Uranus , Neptune , Saturn and Jupiter . The presence of alkanes has also been detected in meteorites that have fallen to the Earth 's surface.
Alkanes have multiple uses. It is possible to use certain alkanes to produce electricity or as fuel to heat and drive engines. Alkanes also serve to obtain oils . The use of alkanes must be controlled since it is a compound that, when mixed with air, can explode.