3.6.8

Homologous Series

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Homologous series

A homologous series is a family of organic compounds in which each member differs from the next by CH2. They share similar chemical properties and show a trend in physical properties.

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Homologous series

  • A homologous series is a family of organic (carbon-based) compounds in which each member differs from the next by CH2.
  • The members of a homologous series all have the same general formula (e.g alkanes: CnH2n+2).
  • Members of a homologous series have the same functional group (e.g. alcohols: -OH).
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Examples of homologous series

  • Examples of homologous series are shown in the table above.
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Chemical properties

  • The chemical properties of organic molecules are determined by the functional group.
  • Therefore, all members of a homologous series have similar chemical properties as they have the same functional group.
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Physical properties

  • Members of a homologous series show graduation in physical properties, such as boiling and melting point and solubility.
  • Boiling point increases as the carbon-chain length is increased within a homologous series, due to the increasing strength of London dispersion forces.
  • The different boiling points allow the compounds to be separated by distillation.
  • For example, petroleum, a mixture of mainly hydrocarbons, is separated into useful fractions using fractional distillation.
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Physical properties cont.

  • The table above shows how the boiling point increases as the carbon-chain length is increased within a homologous series of alkanes.

Jump to other topics

1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter

2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure

3Structure - Classification of Matter

3.1The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements

3.2Periodic Trends

3.3Group 1 Alkali Metals

3.4Halogens

3.5Noble gases, group 18

3.6Functional Groups: Classification of Organic

3.7Functional Group Chemistry

3.8Alkanes

3.9Alcohols

3.10Halogenoalkanes

4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?

5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?

6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change

7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis

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