The general formula of the alkane homologous series is
- A. CnH2n
- B. CnH2n-2
- C. CnH2n+2
- D. CnH2n+1
Explanation
Every carbon in a saturated open chain carries the maximum hydrogen, giving two per carbon plus two extra for the ends of the chain, so hexane is C6H14. CnH2n belongs to alkenes and cycloalkanes and CnH2n-2 to alkynes. CnH2n+1 is not a molecule at all but an alkyl group, such as methyl or ethyl.