Saturated hydrocarbons, also known as alkanes, are open-chain saturated hydrocarbons. All carbon atoms in the molecule are connected by single bonds, and other valence bonds are combined with hydrogen. The general formula is CnH2n+2, which is the simplest organic compound. The main sources of alkanes are oil and natural gas, which are important chemical raw materials and energy materials.

The chemical properties of alkanes are similar to their representative methane. Generally, it is relatively stable. Under normal circumstances, it does not react with oxidants such as acid, alkali and acidic potassium permanganate, nor does it combine with other substances. However, under certain conditions, the following reactions will also occur:

1, which can be replaced by chlorine under light conditions.

2, oxidation reaction: can be ignited.

Extended data:

Physical properties of saturated hydrocarbons

1. With the increase of the number of carbon atoms in the molecule, their state at room temperature changes from gaseous to liquid: C 1 ~ C4 is gaseous, C5 ~ C 16 is liquid, and C 17 or above is solid;

2. Their boiling point and density in liquid state also increase gradually. The reason is that alkanes are molecular crystals. With the increase of carbon atoms, the relative molecular mass and intermolecular force gradually increase, so the melting point gradually increases.

When the relative molecular weight is the same, the more branches of alkanes, the lower the melting point. Pay attention to analyze the gradual change law of carbon content and hydrogen content of alkane molecules with the increase of carbon number: carbon content increases gradually and hydrogen content decreases gradually.

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