PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND USES OF ALKANES

Physical properties and uses of alkanes:

1. Physical State

• C1          C4    (Gases)
• C5          C17  (Liquids)
• C18        To onward     (Solids)

  
      2.Solubility

• They are mostly insoluble in Water.
• They are soluble in Non-polar solvents or Organic solvents.

e.g     Benzene , Carbontetrachloride, Chloroform , Ether e.t.c.


       3.Melting and Boiling points

• The have low M.P and B.P but they are increased by 20 to 30 degree centigrade when ther are increased by CH2 group.

       4.Density and Viscosity

• Thy have low density and viscosity which is increased within the increase in Carbon atoms.

        5.Effect of branches

• Straight chain Alkanes have high melting and boiling points than that of branched Alkanes.

                                                                      Uses

• They are used in the preparation of very important chemicals.

      e.g.   Chloromethane, Dichloromethane , Chloroform , Carbontetrachloride.

• They are used for the manufacturing of Carbon Black which is used in the preparation of Polish , Ink , Tire , Trace paper.

• They are used as Fuels like Motor fuels , Domestic fuels , Industrial fuels.

• They are used  in illuminating purposes.

• They are used in the preparation of Fertilizers.Urea is most common Fertilizer which mostly prepared by Methane.