Alkanes are relatively unreactive towards most reagents because
Correct answer: A. their carbon to hydrogen bonds are strong and almost non polar, offering nothing for a nucleophile or electrophile to attack
- A. their carbon to hydrogen bonds are strong and almost non polar, offering nothing for a nucleophile or electrophile to attack
- B. they contain a double bond
- C. they are ionic compounds
- D. they have very high molar masses
Explanation
Carbon and hydrogen have similar electronegativities, so the bonds carry almost no dipole and there is no region of high or low electron density to attract a reagent. This is why alkanes are called paraffins, meaning little affinity, and why their main reactions are combustion and free radical substitution, both of which need harsh conditions. Alkenes react far more readily because the pi electrons are exposed.
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About Alkanes
Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons containing only carbon-carbon and carbon-hydrogen single bonds, with the general formula CnH2n+2 for open chains. Their structure, isomerism, IUPAC nomenclature, physical properties, combustion, free-radical halogenation and conformations are covered, including the difference between substitution in alkanes and addition in unsaturated hydrocarbons.
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