Homologous series predict the properties of the members of the series.Justify this statement through its characteristics.
Answers
Explanation:
A Homologous Series is a group of organic chemical compounds, usually listed in order of increasing size, that have a similar structure (and hence also similar properties) and whose structures differ only by the number of CH2 units in the main carbon chain.
The simplest example of a homologous series in organic chemistry is that of alkanes (as taught for UK GCSE Chemistry, to ages approx 14-16 yrs). Alkanes consist of carbon and hydrogen atoms only, in proportions according to the general formula:
CnH2n+2
where the letter n represents the number of carbon atoms in each molecule of the compound. Hence the first 10 molecules in the homologous series of linear alkanes are:
Example of the Homologous Series of Alkanes, Structure: CnH2n+2
Methane ( 1 carbon atom in chain )
CH4
Methane (Alkane)
Ethane ( 2 carbon atoms in chain )
C2H6
Ethane (Alkane)
Propane ( 3 carbon atoms in chain )
C3H8
Propane (Alkane)
As can be seen in the case of the example of the homologous series of alkanes (above), the basic molecular structure of all members of the series takes the same form. The difference between members of the homologous series depends on the value of n, which represents the number of carbon atoms in the chain.
The homologous series of alkanes is the simplest and probably most often cited example but there are many other homologous series of organic compounds.
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