The general formula for the alkanes is C n H 2n+2 (where n is the number of carbon atoms in the molecule). The table shows four alkanes, their molecular formulae, displayed formulae and structural ...

The general formula of the alkanes is \({C_n}{H_{2n + 2}}\). They are insoluble in water. The names, molecular formula and the structural formula of the first eight alkanes must be learned.