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Related Concept Videos

Constitutional Isomers of Alkanes02:18

Constitutional Isomers of Alkanes

Organic compounds of the same molecular formula can have different structural formulas called constitutional isomers, and the phenomenon is known as constitutional isomerism. Alkanes with four or more carbons showing multiple structures with the same molecular formula thereby exhibit constitutional isomerism.
The linear isomer of an alkane is prefixed by the term “n”; hence a linear isomer of pentane is known as n-pentane. Based on the type of branching, some of the branched isomers are given...
Physical Properties of Alkanes02:33

Physical Properties of Alkanes

Alkanes are nonpolar molecules due to the presence of only carbon and hydrogen atoms. The electronegativity difference between carbon and hydrogen is minimal, and hence alkanes have a zero dipole moment. This leads to the presence of only dispersion forces between the molecules. The strength of dispersion forces is dependent on the surface area of the molecules on which they act. Since the surface area increases with the molecular length for straight-chain alkanes, the dispersion forces also...
Isomerism in Alkenes02:01

Isomerism in Alkenes

Alkenes like 1-butene and 2-butene exhibit constitutional isomerism, as they differ in the position of the double bond. Further, 2-butene exhibits stereoisomerism and exists as two distinct compounds differing in spatial arrangement.
An isomer is called cis-2-butene when the methyl groups are on the same side of the double bond, and the other stereoisomer, in which methyl groups are on the opposite side of the double bond, is called trans-2-butene. The cis and trans stereoisomers are not...
Structure and Bonding of Alkenes02:47

Structure and Bonding of Alkenes

Olefins, which are unsaturated hydrocarbons containing one or more carbon–carbon double bonds, are broadly divided into alkenes and cycloalkenes. The general chemical formula of an alkene is CnH2n.
Doubly bonded carbons are sp2 hybridized and have a trigonal planar geometry. The double bond is composed of a σ bond formed by the overlap of hybrid orbitals and a π bond produced by the lateral overlap of unhybridized 2p orbitals on both the carbons. Each carbon atom is bonded to two hydrogen atoms...
Nomenclature of Alkanes02:22

Nomenclature of Alkanes

In the late 19th-century, the number of new chemical compounds discovered increased tremendously. Hence, the necessity arose to develop a naming system for the systematic nomenclature of these newly discovered compounds. IUPAC (International Union for Pure and Applied Chemistry), established in 1919, sets rules for the nomenclature.
The alkane nomenclature considers the length of the carbon chain, the number, and the location of the substituent to arrive at its systematic name. The IUPAC...
Cycloalkanes02:28

Cycloalkanes

Cycloalkanes are saturated cyclic hydrocarbons with carbon atoms arranged in the form of rings. They have two fewer hydrogen atoms than the corresponding acyclic alkane; therefore, their general formula is CnH2n. The structural formulas of cycloalkanes are simplified using the line-angle representation. The regular polygons are used to represent the cycloalkane rings, with each side representing a carbon-carbon bond.
The IUPAC nomenclature of cycloalkanes follows similar rules that apply to...

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Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Preparation of Hollow Polystyrene Particles and Microcapsules by Radical Polymerization of Janus Droplets Consisting of Hydrocarbon and Fluorocarbon Oils
07:01

Preparation of Hollow Polystyrene Particles and Microcapsules by Radical Polymerization of Janus Droplets Consisting of Hydrocarbon and Fluorocarbon Oils

Published on: January 25, 2018

Compressed alkanes in reversible encapsulation complexes.

Dariush Ajami1, Julius Rebek

  • 1Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.

Nature Chemistry
|March 8, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Longer alkanes (C17-C19) coil inside hydrogen-bonded capsules, exerting pressure that loosens seams and causes capsule racemization. Shorter alkanes (C16) remain extended, showing no pressure or racemization.

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Isolating Free Carbenes, their Mixed Dimers and Organic Radicals
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Isolating Free Carbenes, their Mixed Dimers and Organic Radicals
10:44

Isolating Free Carbenes, their Mixed Dimers and Organic Radicals

Published on: April 19, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Supramolecular Chemistry
  • Physical Organic Chemistry
  • Spectroscopy

Background:

  • Alkanes typically adopt extended conformations but can coil in confined spaces.
  • Self-assembled hydrogen-bonded complexes offer a model system for studying confined molecular behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the conformational behavior of normal alkanes (C16-C19) within self-assembled hydrogen-bonded capsules.
  • To determine the impact of alkane coiling on capsule structure and dynamics.
  • To quantify the pressure exerted by confined alkanes and its effect on capsule racemization.

Main Methods:

  • Encapsulation of n-alkanes (C16-C19) in hydrogen-bonded complexes.
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to observe alkane conformation and capsule dynamics.
  • Determination of racemization rates and free energies of activation.

Main Results:

  • NMR spectroscopy revealed coiling of longer alkanes (C17-C19) within the capsules.
  • Alkane coiling was found to exert internal pressure, loosening hydrogen-bonding seams.
  • This pressure induced rotation of capsule components, leading to racemization, with rates increasing for longer alkanes.
  • n-C16 remained extended and did not induce significant pressure or racemization.

Conclusions:

  • Alkane chain length dictates conformational behavior and pressure exertion within confined supramolecular environments.
  • The pressure from coiled alkanes can drive dynamic processes like capsule racemization.
  • This study demonstrates a direct link between confined molecular conformation and supramolecular assembly dynamics.