Hydrocarbons: Definition, Types, and Kinds of Reactions

Have you ever heard about hydrocarbons? This compound is frequently found in plastic materials and other industrial materials. In general, hydrocarbons are also found in crude oil.

This article discusses hydrocarbons, including their definition, function, and characteristics. Therefore, read this article until the end to figure out the complete information.

What Is a Hydrocarbon?

Hydrocarbons are organic compounds entirely made of two atoms: hydrogen and carbon. Typically, a hydrocarbon is colorless and almost odorless. It can form a simple to complex structure.

Generally, hydrocarbons can be categorized into four types: alkanes, alkenes or olefins, alkynes, and aromatic hydrocarbons. This compound has become one of the important components in industry.

For instance, propane and butane are used to produce LPG. Moreover, hydrocarbons can be found in plastics made of petroleum or natural gas.

The Properties of Hydrocarbons

The formulas of hydrocarbon compounds vary depending on their molecular structure. For example, the amount of hydrogen bound in alkenes and alkynes will decrease thanks to self-bonding (the ability of an element to form bonds with the same atom).

Hydrocarbons’ ability to self-bond is called catenation. This compound can do catenation continuously to create a complex molecule, like cyclohexane, and aromatic hydrocarbons, like benzene (in some cases).

The size of these compounds also depends on their properties, such as boiling point and melting point. Therefore, some types of hydrocarbons are gaseous at room temperature, and some are solids or liquids.

Hydrocarbons are also generally nonpolar, making them insoluble in water. This characteristic makes them often used in floor wax products.

Types of Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons are divided into six types: saturated hydrocarbons, unsaturated hydrocarbons, cycloalkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and alicyclic hydrocarbons. Here is the complete explanation:

1. Saturated Hydrocarbons

In saturated hydrocarbons, the carbon and hydrogen atoms form a bond. This bond is the simplest bond that hydrocarbons have. Typically, this compound is not double- or triple-bonded.

2. Unsaturated Hydrocarbons

Unsaturated hydrocarbons consist of single, double, or triple bonds between carbon atoms. The double-bonded hydrocarbons are alkenes, and the triple-bonded ones are alkynes.

3. Cycloalkanes

Cycloalkanes are hydrocarbons having one or more carbon rings. Then, the carbon rings bound the hydrogen atoms. The general formula is CnH2n, where n is the number of carbon atoms.

4. Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Aromatic hydrocarbons, or arenes, have at least one aromatic ring. Aromatic hydrocarbons are circularly structured organic compounds containing sigma bonds along with delocalized pi electrons.

5. Alicyclic Hydrocarbons

Alicyclic hydrocarbons have one ring structure. The carbon atom can be Sp, Sp2, and Sp3 hybridized. This compound is the main component of crude oil, around 20%–67%.

Functions of Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons have many functions for industries, such as the energy and petrochemical industries. Because they form natural gas and petroleum, they are often used to fuel vehicles, kerosene, and diesel.

Hydrocarbons are also used to make cleaners and solvents. Most commonly, they are used to make synthetic materials, such as plastics and rubber. Furthermore, they are used to make medicines and dyes.

Types of Hydrocarbon Reactions

Hydrocarbons usually undergo main reactions, such as:

1. Substitution

Substitution on hydrocarbons happens on alkanes. This compound undergoes a hydrogen swap with other atoms or groups, like halogens. This reaction is important for chemical synthesis, especially in medicine and plastic making.

2. Combustion

This reaction is the most common reaction hydrocarbons undergo, in which they react with oxygen and produce energy, water, and carbon dioxide. It usually happens in the fossil fuel combustion process, transforming it into energy for moving the vehicle.

3. Addition

Addition is a reaction that usually occurs in alkynes and alkenes. This reaction can open the double bond structure, making it bind to other molecules or atoms. Addition can produce other compounds, such as polypropylene and polyethylene.

That concludes the information about hydrocarbons you can learn. This compound is one of the important parts of industry, especially the petrochemical industry, which provides chemicals.

Regarding chemicals, Chandra Asri Group, as a leading chemical solution company in Southeast Asia, offers various chemicals, such as olefins, polyolefins, styrene monomer, and so on.

Our chemical products are processed through a careful and precise production flow so that product quality is guaranteed. Currently, Chandra Asri Group operates factories for olefins, polyethylene, polypropylene, styrene monomer, butadiene, and so on.

So, make sure to select the quality industrial chemicals in Chandra Asri Group!