Everything about Homologous Series totally explained
In
chemistry, a
homologous series is a series of
organic compounds with a similar
general formula, possessing similar chemical properties due to the presence of the same
functional group, and shows a gradation in physical properties as a result of increase in molecular size and mass (see
relative molecular mass). For example, ethane has a higher boiling point than methane since it has more Van der Waals forces(intermolecular forces) with neighbouring molecules. This is due to the increase in the number of atoms making up the molecule. Organic compounds in the same homologous series vary by a CH
2.
Alkanes (
paraffins),
alkenes (olefins),
methoxyethane (
ethers), and
alkynes (
acetylenes) form such series in which members differ in mass by 14 atomic mass units. For example, the alkane homologous series begins with
methane (CH
4),
ethane (C
2H
6),
propane (C
3H
8),
butane (C
4H
10), and
pentane (C
5H
12), each member differing from the previous one by a CH
2 group (or 14
atomic mass units).
Similarly, there's the
alcohol homologous series that starts with
methanol (CH
4O),
ethanol (C
2H
6O), as primary alcohols,
isopropanol (C
3H
8O) as a simple secondary alcohol, and a simple tertiary alcohol is tert-
butanol (C
4H
10O).
Even while the
general formula are the same, they've different structures that can lead the exact same compound to different properties, although that'll always present the same chemical properties while as a homologous compound.
Compounds in each set have the same little group of atoms called the
functional group. Most
chemical properties of
organic compounds are due to the presence of the
functional group.
| Homologous series | General formula | Example | Functional group |
| Straight Chain Alkanes |
CnH2n + 2 (n more than or equal to 1) |
CH4, n = 1 |
|
| Alkyl |
CnH2n + 1 (n more than or equal to 1) |
CH3, n = 1 |
|
| Alkenes and Cyclic Alkanes |
CnH2n (n more than or equal to 2) |
C2H4, n = 2 |
C = C |
| Alkynes |
CnH2n − 2 (n more than or equal to 2) |
C2H2, n = 2 |
C ≡ C |
| Alcohols |
CnH2n + 1OH (n more than or equal to 1) |
CH4O, n = 1 |
- OH |
| Carboxylic acids |
CnH2nO2 (n more than or equal to 1) |
CH2O2, n = 1 |
- COOH |
| Carbohydrates |
Cn(H2O)n (n more than or equal to 1) |
C6H12O6 |
Where
n represents the number of carbon atoms present.
A
Homologation reaction is any
chemical process converting one member of a homologues series to the next.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Homologous Series'.
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