State and explain how alkanes are further classified.

    Ans. Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons with single bonds. Alkanes are further classified as:

i.                     Straight chain alkanes: The alkanes in which all the carbon atoms are attached by covalent bonds in a continuous chain are called straight chain alkanes or normal alkanes Eg. CH₃ – CH₂ – CH₂ – CH₃ is normal butane or n – butane.

ii.                   Branched chain alkanes: - The alkanes in which all the carbon atoms are not in a continuous chain and some of them are linked to other carbon atoms to make the branch are called branched chain alkanes.

a.       The alkanes, in which there is only one carbon chain attached to the second carbon atom of the long chain are called iso – alkanes Eg. 

b.       The alkanes, in which there are two single carbon branches, attached the second carbon atom of the long chain are called neo – alkanes. Eg.