How long can a hydrocarbon chain be?

The inner tube has a diameter of about 0.7 nm. An international research team has created the longest linear carbon chain to date by linking more than 6,000 carbon atoms into a single-file strand that stretches for nearly a micrometer (Nat.

Are there long hydrocarbon chains?

Fatty acids have a long chain of hydrocarbons to which a carboxyl group is attached, hence the name “fatty acid.” The number of carbons in the fatty acid may range from 4 to 36; most common are those containing 12–18 carbons.

What hydrocarbon has the longest chain?

heptane
The longest continuous carbon chain has seven C atoms, so this molecule is named as a heptane. There is a two-carbon substituent on the main chain, which is an ethyl group….Example 2.

Number of Same Substituent	Numerical Prefix
2	di–
3	tri-
4	tetra–
5	penta–

How does the chain length of a hydrocarbon affect its properties?

As the hydrocarbon chain length increases, viscosity increases. As the hydrocarbon chain length increases, flammability decreases. hydrogen in the fuels are oxidised, releasing carbon dioxide, water and energy. The boiling point of the chain depends on its length.

What is the longest polymer chain?

backbone chain
molecule. In polymer science, the backbone chain of a polymer is the longest series of covalently bonded atoms that together create the continuous chain of the molecule….See also.

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Other	Microsoft Academic

How can long chain hydrocarbons turn into short hydrocarbons?

Cracking allows large hydrocarbon molecules to be broken down into smaller, more useful hydrocarbon molecules. Fractions containing large hydrocarbon molecules are heated to vaporise them. Watch this practical demonstration of cracking alkanes in the lab. Cracking produces a mixture of smaller alkanes and alkenes.

Are long chain hydrocarbons flammable?

The longest hydrocarbons have very high boiling points. Shorter hydrocarbon molecules have weaker intermolecular forces and lower boiling points. They are highly volatile and therefore extremely flammable.

Why are long hydrocarbon chains hydrophobic?

Because all three substituents on the glycerol backbone are long hydrocarbon chains, these compounds are nonpolar and not significantly attracted to polar water molecules—they are hydrophobic. As mentioned, the polar heads of these molecules are strongly attracted to water molecules, and the nonpolar tails are not.

How do you determine the longest chain?

If you start at the left and then count up where the molecule branches, you find that there are 8 carbons by taking this route. This is is the longest chain (dont be fooled by professors hiding carbons in branches), and thus the parent chain is octane (see table above).

Why are shorter chain hydrocarbons more flammable?

Shorter hydrocarbon molecules have weaker intermolecular forces and lower boiling points. They are highly volatile and therefore extremely flammable.

How does the length of the hydrocarbon affect the viscosity?

As you go up the fractionating column, the hydrocarbon molecules get smaller and have: lower boiling points. lower viscosity (they flow more easily) higher flammability (they ignite more easily)

How long can polymer chains be?

~204 nm
Appearance of real linear polymer chains as recorded using an atomic force microscope on a surface, under liquid medium. Chain contour length for this polymer is ~204 nm; thickness is ~0.4 nm.