What is the general formula of an alkane?

1 Answer
anor277
Dec 15, 2016

#C_nH_(2n+2)#.

Explanation:

#C_nH_(2n+2)# is the generic alkane.........

Try it out.........#"methane, C=1"#,............#"decane, C=10"#

With respect to this formula, it is often useful to calculate the degree of unsaturation possessed by any given organic formula. Once you calculate this, for a specified formula you can predict how many unsaturated bonds, #C=O#, #C=C#, #C=N#, how many ring junctions etc. a given formula is likely to possess.

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