Introduction to Hydrocarbon Chemistry

 After finishing this lesson, you will be able to discuss the molecular structure, physical properties, naming conventions, and commercial uses of several common hydrocarbons.

• Compare the definitions of petroleum and crude oil

• Relate the physical states of hydrocarbons to their carbon content

• Discuss how covalent bonds are formed between hydrogen and carbon

• Explain the use of base names, prefixes, and suffixes to label hydrocarbons

• Describe and compare the structures of the following hydrocarbon families:

– Paraffins

– Napthenes

– Aromatics

– Olefins

– Alkynes

• Identify correlations between physical properties of a hydrocarbon and the hydrocarbon’s molecular structure

• List some contaminants commonly found in crude oil and discuss their adverse effects on oil refining