In chemistry, a homologous series is a series of organic compounds with a similar general formula, possessing similar chemical properties due to the presence of the same functional group, and shows a gradation in physical properties as a result of increase in molecular size and mass (see relative molecular mass). Chemistry (from Egyptian kēme (chem meaning "earth") is the Science concerned with the composition structure and properties An organic compound is any member of a large class of Chemical compounds whose Molecules contain Carbon. A chemical formula is a way of expressing information about the Atoms that constitute a particular Chemical compound, and how the relationship between those atoms changes In Organic chemistry, functional groups are specific groups of Atoms within Molecules that are responsible for the characteristic Chemical reactions The molecular mass (abbreviated m of a substance, more commonly referred to as molecular weight and abbreviated as MW, is the Mass of one For example, ethane has a higher boiling point than methane since it has more Van der Waals forces(intermolecular forces) with neighbouring molecules. This is due to the increase in the number of atoms making up the molecule. Organic compounds in the same homologous series vary by a CH2.
Alkanes (paraffins), alkenes (olefins), methoxyethane (ethers), and alkynes (acetylenes) form such series in which members differ in mass by 14 atomic mass units. Alkanes, also known as Paraffins are Chemical compounds that consist only of the elements Carbon (C and Hydrogen (H (i In chemistry paraffin is the common name for the Alkane Hydrocarbons with the general formula C n H2 n +2 In Organic chemistry, an alkene, olefin, or olefine is an unsaturated Chemical compound containing at least one Carbon Methoxyethane, also known as methyl ethyl ether, is a colorless gaseous Ether with a medicine-like odor Ether is a class of Organic compounds which contain an ether group — an Oxygen Atom connected to two (substituted Alkyl Alkynes are Hydrocarbons that have at least one Triple bond between two Carbon atoms with the formula CnH2n-2. Acetylene ( IUPAC name ethyne), C2H2 is a Hydrocarbon belonging to the group of Alkynes It is the simplest of all alkynes For example, the alkane homologous series begins with methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), butane (C4H10), and pentane (C5H12), each member differing from the previous one by a CH2 group (or 14 atomic mass units). Methane is a Chemical compound with the molecular formula. It is the simplest Alkane, and the principal component of Natural gas. ETHANE is a mnemonic indicating a protocol used by Emergency services to report situations which they may be faced with especially as it relates to major incidents where Propane is a three- Carbon Alkane, normally a gas but compressible to a liquid that is transportable Butane, also called n -butane, is the unbranched Alkane with four Carbon Atoms CH3CH2CH2CH3 Pentane is any or one of the Organic compounds with the formula C5H12 The atomic mass (ma is the Mass of an atom most often expressed in unified atomic mass units The atomic mass may be considered to be the total mass
Similarly, there is the alcohol homologous series that starts with methanol (CH4O), ethanol (C2H6O), as primary alcohols, isopropanol (C3H8O) as a simple secondary alcohol, and a simple tertiary alcohol is tert-butanol (C4H10O). In Chemistry, an alcohol is any Organic compound in which a Hydroxyl group ( - O[[hydrogen H]]) is bound to a Carbon Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, carbinol, wood alcohol, wood naphtha or wood spirits, is a Chemical compound Isopropyl alcohol (also isopropanol, iso, isopro, Rubbing alcohol, or the abbreviation IPA) is a common name for Butanol or butyl alcohol (sometimes also called biobutanol when produced biologically is a Primary alcohol with a 4 Carbon structure and the Molecular
Even while the general formula are the same, they have different structures that can lead the exact same compound to different properties, although they will always present the same chemical properties while as a homologous compound.
Compounds in each set have the same little group of atoms called the functional group. In Organic chemistry, functional groups are specific groups of Atoms within Molecules that are responsible for the characteristic Chemical reactions Most chemical properties of organic compounds are due to the presence of the functional group. An organic compound is any member of a large class of Chemical compounds whose Molecules contain Carbon. In Organic chemistry, functional groups are specific groups of Atoms within Molecules that are responsible for the characteristic Chemical reactions
| Homologous series | General formula | Example | Functional group |
| Straight Chain Alkanes | CnH2n + 2 (n more than or equal to 1) | CH4, n = 1 | |
| Alkyl | CnH2n + 1 (n more than or equal to 1) | CH3, n = 1 | |
| Alkenes and Cyclic Alkanes | CnH2n (n more than or equal to 2) | C2H4, n = 2 | C = C |
| Alkynes | CnH2n − 2 (n more than or equal to 2) | C2H2, n = 2 | C ≡ C |
| Alcohols | CnH2n + 1OH (n more than or equal to 1) | CH4O, n = 1 | - OH |
| Carboxylic acids | CnH2nO2 (n more than or equal to 1) | CH2O2, n = 1 | - COOH |
| Carbohydrates | Cn(H2O)n (n more than or equal to 1) | C6H12O6 |
Where n represents the number of carbon atoms present. Alkanes, also known as Paraffins are Chemical compounds that consist only of the elements Carbon (C and Hydrogen (H (i An alkyl is a Univalent radical consisting of Carbon and Hydrogen atoms arranged in a chain In Organic chemistry, an alkene, olefin, or olefine is an unsaturated Chemical compound containing at least one Carbon Alkanes, also known as Paraffins are Chemical compounds that consist only of the elements Carbon (C and Hydrogen (H (i Alkynes are Hydrocarbons that have at least one Triple bond between two Carbon atoms with the formula CnH2n-2. In Chemistry, an alcohol is any Organic compound in which a Hydroxyl group ( - O[[hydrogen H]]) is bound to a Carbon Carboxylic acids are Organic acids characterized by the presence of a Carboxyl group, which has the formula -C(=OOH usually written -COOH or -CO2H Carbohydrates (from ' Hydrates of Carbon ' or saccharides ( Greek σάκχαρον meaning " Sugar " are the most
A Homologation reaction is any chemical process converting one member of a homologues series to the next. A homologation reaction, also known as homologization, is any Chemical reaction that effects an overall increase of the carbon skeleton of a saturated reactant molecule In a " scientific " sense a chemical process is a method or means of somehow changing one or more Chemicals or Chemical compounds Such a chemical