Alkanes

Content

● Alkanes (exemplified by ethane)

(i) free-radical substitution reactions

● Hydrocarbons as fuels

Learning Outcomes

Candidates should be able to:

(a) explain the general unreactivity of alkanes, including towards polar reagents

(b) describe the chemistry of alkanes as exemplified by the following reactions of ethane:

(i) combustion

(ii) free-radical substitution by chlorine and by bromine

(c) describe the mechanism of free-radical substitution with particular reference to the initiation, propagation and termination reactions