Hydrocarbons

Definition of Hydrocarbons: The simplest organic compounds are hydrocarbons. All organic compounds can be derived from hydrocarbons by substituting a hydrogen atom with a suitable functional group. Replacing a hydrogen atom by a OH group in a hydrocarbon, gives an alcohol: replacement of H atom in a hydrocarbon by COOH group gives in a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid, and so on. It is therefore appropriate to begin the study of hydrocarbons with its preparation, properties and reactions.

Hydrocarbons can be classified as follows:

Types Of Hydrocarbons

1. Alkanes

2. Alkenes

3. Alkynes

4. Aromatic

Several specific forms of hydrocarbons-

• Dry gas- contains largely methane, specifically contains less than 0.1 gal/1000ft3 of condensible (at surface T and P) material.
• Wet gas- contains ethane propane, butane. Up to the molecular weight where the fluids are always condenced to liquids
• Condesates- Hydrocarbon with a molecular weight such that they are gas inthe subsurface where temperatures are high, but condence to liquid when reach cooler, surface temperatures.
• Liquid hydrocarbons- commonly known as oil, or crude oil, to distinguish it from refined hydrocarbon products.
• Plastic hydrocarbons- asphalt
• Solid hydrocarbons- coal and kerogen- (kerogen strictly defined is dessimenated organic matter in sediments that is insoluble in normal petroleum solvents.
• Gas hydrates- Solids composed of water molecules surrounding gas molecules, usually methane, but also H2S, CO2, and other less common gases.