Reactions of alkanes

Question 1

Why do alkanes have low reactivity with many reagents?

Answer 1

due to the high bond enthalpy of the C-C bonds and **very low polarity ** of the σ-bonds present

Question 2

Why do alkanes make good fuels?

Answer 2

they release a lot of energy when burned

Question 3

CH4 + 2O2 —> ?

Answer 3

CO2 + 2H2O

complete combustion

Question 4

2CH4 + 3O2 —> ?

Answer 4

2CO + 4H2O

incomplete combustion

Question 5

Why is carbon monoxide toxic?

Answer 5

CO replaces oxygen in the blood causing oxygen deprivation

Question 6

alkane + halogen –> ?
state the conditions

Answer 6

haloalkane
UV light

Question 7

what type of bond fission is free radical substitution?

Answer 7

homolytic fission

Question 8

describe initiation

Answer 8

the halogen-halogen bond is broken to from 2 free radicals using UV light

Question 9

describe propagation

Answer 9

free radicals are used up and created in a chain reaction

Question 10

describe termination

Answer 10

2 radicals join to end the chain reaction and form a stable product

Question 11

what is a limitation of free-radical substitution?

Answer 11

you end up with a mixture of products