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What comes after butane?

Published in Organic Chemistry 1 min read

The compound that comes directly after butane in the homologous series of alkanes is pentane.

Understanding Alkane Nomenclature

Alkanes are a fundamental class of organic compounds composed solely of single-bonded carbon and hydrogen atoms. They are saturated hydrocarbons, meaning they contain the maximum number of hydrogen atoms possible for their carbon framework. The naming of alkanes follows a systematic convention based primarily on the number of carbon atoms in their longest continuous chain. Each successive alkane in the series differs from the previous one by a single -CH₂- unit.

Common Alkanes by Carbon Count

The systematic naming of alkanes is crucial for identifying and classifying these molecules. Here's a breakdown of the first ten straight-chain alkanes and their corresponding carbon atom count:

Alkane Name Number of Carbon Atoms
Methane 1
Ethane 2
Propane 3
Butane 4
Pentane 5
Hexane 6
Heptane 7
Octane 8
Nonane 9
Decane 10

As illustrated in the table, butane is the alkane with four carbon atoms. Following this well-established naming pattern, the next compound in the series is pentane, which systematically contains five carbon atoms. This consistent nomenclature is a cornerstone of organic chemistry, providing a clear and logical way to identify and discuss hydrocarbon compounds.