Introduction to Hydrocarbon Chemistry
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Introduction to Hydrocarbon Chemistry

Martech
Updated Jan 20, 2021

 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