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What Comes After Hexane?

Published in Alkane Chemistry 2 mins read

After hexane, the next alkane in the homologous series is heptane.

Alkanes are a fundamental class of organic compounds composed solely of hydrogen and carbon atoms, connected by single bonds. They form a homologous series, meaning each successive member differs from the previous one by a single -CH₂- unit. The naming convention for alkanes follows a systematic pattern: a prefix indicates the number of carbon atoms in the longest continuous chain, followed by the suffix "-ane."

The Alkane Series Progression

Hexane is an alkane characterized by a chain of six carbon atoms. Following the established order of alkanes, the compound immediately succeeding it will have seven carbon atoms. This compound is known as heptane.

Here's how hexane fits into the sequence of common alkanes:

Alkane Molecular Formula Carbon Atoms in Chain
Pentane C₅H₁₂ 5
Hexane C₆H₁₄ 6
Heptane C₇H₁₆ 7
Octane C₈H₁₈ 8

Each step in this series adds one carbon atom and two hydrogen atoms, adhering to the general formula for alkanes, which is CnH2n+2. For hexane, where 'n' is 6, the formula is C₆H(2*6+2) = C₆H₁₄. For heptane, with 'n' being 7, the formula becomes C₇H(2*7+2) = C₇H₁₆. This systematic progression is crucial for understanding the properties and reactions of these hydrocarbons.