Safety Emporium for all your lab and safety needs

Definition
{ An hydrocarbon is an organic chemical compound that is comprised only of carbon (C)
and hydrogen (H) atoms.
Many oils, fats, waxes, solvents and paraffin are either hydrocarbons or contain large
hydrocarbon sub-units.
Additional Info
Hydrocarbons can be divided into particular classes depending on their properties. Some
examples are:
a. Aliphatic versus Aromatic.
b. Cyclic versus non-cyclic (or acyclic)
Hydrocarbons (or other organic molecules) that form a ring are called cyclic.
For example, cyclopentane (C
5
H
10
) is cyclic, while pentane (C
5
H
12
) is not:
c. Saturated versus Unsaturated
H-statements Glossary Index Hygroscopic
Search
MSDS
Topics
Free Sites FAQ's Regulations Glossary Software Suppliers
Books Forum Poll Fun stuff Quiz Store
Understand your MSDS with the MS-Demystifier Search ALL our MSDS info
Hydrocarbon
Note: The terms "saturated" and "unsaturated" also refer to the concentration of solutions.
These have a much different meaning and context.
A saturated hydrocarbon (or other organic molecule)
has utilized all of its bonding electrons to make single
bonds to other atoms. It can not make additional bonds
without cutting off part of the existing molecule.
An unsaturated hydrocarbon (or other organic
molecule) contains double or triple bonds between
Page 1 of 4 The MSDS HyperGlossary: Hydrocarbon
26-11-2012 http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/hydrocarbon.html
You may have heard the terms monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and
saturated in reference to fats and oils. Saturated fats (no double bonds)
contain long hydrocarbon sub-units (alkyl groups). Examples are coconut oil
and lard, which have a tendency to clog your arteries because of their
chemical and physical properties. Unsaturated fats, those with one (mono) or
many (poly) double bonds, are less likely to form artery-clogging plaques.
d. Alkanes versus Alkenes versus Alkynes
A saturated hydrocarbon is called an alkane. The suffix "ane" in a
hydrocarbon name denotes an alkane.
A hydrocarbon with a double carbon-carbon bond is called an alkene. This is
also called an olefin using older terminology. The suffix "ene" in a
hydrocarbon name denotes an alkene.
A hydrocarbon with a triple carbon-carbon bond is called an alkyne. This is
also called an acetylene using older terminology. The suffix "yne" in a
hydrocarbon name denotes an alkyne.
Note: These are for simple molecules only. Systematic names are much more
involved. See the IUPAC link below for systematic naming rules.
e. Branched vesus Linear (Straight)
The following prefixes are commonly used for simple hydrocarbons, but are
Hydrocarbon fires
require a Class B
extinguishing
agent. Purple-K is
one of the best such
agents for Class BC
fires. Get your PK-
extinguishers or
bulk powder from
Safety Emporium.
certain atoms. These bonds may be broken and new
atoms attached without disrupting the existing skeleton
of the hydrocarbon.
If a molecule contains a saturated hydrocarbon sub-
unit, this sub-unit is called an alkyl group. If the sub-
unit is an aromatic group this sub-unit is called an aryl
group.
For carbon, the maximum (and ideal) number of bonds
is four. Let's look at an example. trans-3-hexene is
unsaturated because the atoms shown in red have two
bonds connecting them and are bound to only three
different atoms. If we chemically add hydrogen atoms
to the red carbons, this reduces the carbon-carbon
double bond to a single bond and gives the red carbons
four single bonds to other atoms. The resulting
molecule, n-hexane, is saturated because we can not
add any more atoms to it without removing bonds to
existing atoms.
Page 2 of 4 The MSDS HyperGlossary: Hydrocarbon
26-11-2012 http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/hydrocarbon.html
not part of the systematic naming scheme used by chemists. For systematic
naming rules (vital to name a hydrocarbon with more than one branch!), see
the IUPAC link below.
Hydrocarbon chains that are completely linear are called normal alkanes.
These are given the prefix n-, although this is often omitted.
Hydrocarbon chains that contain a carbon atom connected to three other
carbon atoms are given the prefix iso.
Hydrocarbons that contain a carbon atom connected to four other carbon
atoms are given the prefix neo.
These molecules have the same chemical formula (C
5
H
12
), but a different
arrangement in each case, so we call them isomers. These isomers of pentane
have different chemical reactivity and properties because of their different
molecular arrangements. For example n-hexane is a neurotoxin while
neohexane is not.
MSDS Relevance
Pay close attention to the name of the
chemical with which you're working so you
don't end up consulting the wrong sheet. As
noted above, pentane and isopentane are
two completely different chemicals.
Hydrocarbons and their chemical
derivatives are often quite flammable.
Many of these are toxic or present other
health hazards. If possible, susbstitute a less
hazardous solvent.
Always wear proper gloves and eye
protection when working with
hydrocarbons or organic chemicals. Be sure
to wear an appropriate respirator if
ventilation is not adequate, and be careful to
avoid ignition sources as the vapors can
easily reach their flammable limit. When
dispensing bulk quantities of flammable
liquids, proper bonding and grounding
procedures must be followed to avoid the
formation of static electricity which could
ignite the vapors.
Further Reading
Page 3 of 4 The MSDS HyperGlossary: Hydrocarbon
26-11-2012 http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/hydrocarbon.html
See also: aliphatic, aromatic, organic.
Additional definitions from Google and OneLook.
Entry last updated: Thursday, April 29, 2010. This page is copyright 2000-2012 by ILPI. Unauthorized duplication or
posting on other web sites is expressly prohibited. Send suggestions, comments, and new entry desires (include the URL if
applicable) to us by email.
Disclaimer: The information contained herein is believed to be true and accurate, however ILPI makes no guarantees
concerning the veracity of any statement. Use of any information on this page is at the reader's own risk. ILPI strongly
encourages the reader to consult the appropriate local, state and federal agencies concerning the matters discussed herein.
z IUPAC (International Union of Pure and
Applied Chemistry) nomenclature rules on
how to name hydrocarbon molecules.
z Hydrocarbon toxicity is discussed from a
health professional standpoint at
eMedicine.com
z How Do I Work Safely with Flammable
and Combustible Liquids? (Static
Electricity) from the Canadian Centre For
Occupational Health & Safety.
z The Reactions of Alkanes, Alkenes, and
Alkynes at Purdue University.
This safety wall poster from Safety Emporium
uses humor to reinforce extinguisher safety.
Page 4 of 4 The MSDS HyperGlossary: Hydrocarbon
26-11-2012 http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/hydrocarbon.html