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