🥼organic chemistry review

Straight-chain alkane

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025

Definition

A straight-chain alkane is a type of hydrocarbon that consists of carbon atoms connected in a single continuous chain without any branches. These compounds follow the general formula CnH2n+2, where n is the number of carbon atoms.

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