Organic Chemistry MCAT Practice Exam

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What is the general formula for saturated alkanes?

  1. CnH2n

  2. CnH2n+1

  3. CnH2n+2

  4. CnH2n-2

The correct answer is: CnH2n+2

Saturated alkanes, also known as paraffins, have the general formula CnH2n+2. This reflects that for every n carbon atoms in the molecule, there are 2n + 2 hydrogen atoms. The "+2" accounts for the additional hydrogen atoms that saturate the carbon atoms, allowing each carbon to achieve four bonds, which is a characteristic feature of alkanes. Alkanes are characterized by having only single bonds (sigma bonds) between their carbon atoms, which allows the maximum number of hydrogen atoms to bond with the carbon skeleton. For instance, with one carbon (C1), the formula produces CH4 (methane), and for two carbons (C2), it yields C2H6 (ethane), advancing through larger alkanes like propane (C3H8) and butane (C4H10) without any double or triple bonds. Understanding this formula is essential for predicting the properties and behaviors of organic compounds. The other options do not represent saturated alkanes; for example, CnH2n would typically represent alkenes (which have carbon-carbon double bonds), CnH2n+1 would suggest a radical species (not a typical

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