Saturated HydrocarbonsAlkanes(or paraffins); A series of hydrocarbons, which contain only single bonds between the carbon atoms.

CnH2n+2Melting and Boiling points of the Alkanes

Name Molecular formula Mpt oC Bpt oC Alkyl groupMethane(g) CH4(g) -182 -160 CH4- methyl

Ethane(g) C2H6(g) -183.2 -88 C2H5- ethyl

Propane(g) C3H8(g) -188 -41 C3H7- propyl

Butane(g) C4H10(g) -135 +0.8 C4H9- butyl

2-methyl propane(g) C4H10(g) -159 -11 C4H9- butyl

Pentane(l) C5H12(i) -129 38 C5H11- pentyl

UnSaturated HydrocarbonsAlkenes; (or olefins); Hydrocarbon that contain at least one carbon-carbon double bond in their molecule.

CnH2nMelting and Boiling points of the Alkanes

Name Molecular formula Mpt oC Bpt oC Ethene(g) C2H4(g) -183.2 -88

Propene(g) C3H6(g) -188 -41

Butene(g) C4H8(g) -135 +0.8

2-butene(g) C4H8(g) -159 -11

2-methyl propene(g) C4H8(g) -129 +38

Hydrocarbons; Compounds containing carbon and hydrogen. The saturated

hydrocarbons are classified as alkanes. Unsaturated hydrocarbon include the

alkenes and alkynes.

C1 to C4 hydrocarbons are gases, C5 to C16 hydrocarbons are liquids, C17 onwards

hydrocarbons are waxy solids, the others are solids.

Hemantha Welihena