Textbook Question
Based on the molecular formula, determine whether each compound is an alkane, alkene, or alkyne. (Assume that the hydrocarbons are noncyclical and there is no more than one multiple bond.)
a. C5H12 b. C2H2 c. C7H14 d. C11H22
22. Organic Chemistry
Intro to Hydrocarbons
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Which of the following molecular formulas might indicate an alkene?
A
C7H16
B
C6H12
C
C5H8
D
C4H10
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that alkenes are hydrocarbons with at least one carbon-carbon double bond, and they follow the general formula CnH2n, where n is the number of carbon atoms.
Examine each molecular formula to see if it fits the alkene formula CnH2n.
For C7H16, calculate the hydrogen count using the alkene formula: C7H2(7) = C7H14. Since C7H16 does not match C7H14, it is not an alkene.
For C6H12, calculate the hydrogen count using the alkene formula: C6H2(6) = C6H12. Since C6H12 matches C6H12, it is an alkene.
For C5H8, calculate the hydrogen count using the alkene formula: C5H2(5) = C5H10. Since C5H8 does not match C5H10, it is not an alkene.
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