Hydrocarbons in Organic Chemistry

Hydrocarbons

• Hydrocarbons are organic compounds consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon.
• They are examples of group 14 hydrides.
• Hydrocarbons are generally colorless and hydrophobic, with a faint odor similar to gasoline or lighter fluid.
• They occur in a diverse range of molecular structures and phases, including gases (e.g., methane and propane), liquids (e.g., hexane and benzene), low melting solids (e.g., paraffin wax and naphthalene), and polymers (e.g., polyethylene and polystyrene).

Fossil Fuels and Energy

• In the fossil fuel industries, hydrocarbon refers to naturally occurring petroleum, natural gas, and coal, or their hydrocarbon derivatives and purified forms.
• Combustion of hydrocarbons is the main source of the world's energy.
• Petroleum is the dominant raw-material source for organic commodity chemicals such as solvents and polymers.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

• Most anthropogenic (human-generated) emissions of greenhouse gases are either carbon dioxide released.

Markovnikov's Rule

Definition and Explanation

• Markovnikov's rule describes the outcome of some addition reactions in organic chemistry.
• The rule was formulated by Russian chemist Vladimir Markovnikov in 1870.
• The rule states that with the addition of a protic acid HX or other polar reagent to an asymmetric alkene:
  • The acid hydrogen (H) or electropositive part gets attached to the carbon with more hydrogen substituents.
  • The halide (X) group or electronegative part gets attached to the carbon with more alkyl substituents.

Contrast to Original Definition

• The original definition of Markovnikov's rule states that:
  • The X component is added to the carbon with the fewest hydrogen atoms.
  • The hydrogen atom is added to the carbon with the greatest number of hydrogen atoms.

Test your knowledge of hydrocarbons in organic chemistry with this quiz! Explore the properties, structures, and phases of these compounds and discover their diverse molecular characteristics. Challenge yourself and enhance your understanding of hydrocarbons.