How to remember the hydrocarbons

Every carbon atom needs four connections to have a full outer shell.

Atomic diagram of a carbon atom with space for 4 more electrons in its outer shell

This can be achieved by adding hydrogen molecules as:

Molecular diagrams of methane molecule

Or you could join to a carbon molecule and hydrogen molecules

Molecular diagrams of Ethane molecule

Or you could join to a carbon molecule with a double bond and hydrogen molecules.

Molecular diagrams of ethene molecule

In an exam you need to be able to read a molecule diagram and know what they are.

For example

Ethene atomic shell structure

Should be read as

C = Carbon atoms = 2

and 2 = ETH

Also double bond	=	Alkene
and Alkene	=	ENE

and you put the two together

ETH+ENE

ETHENE = C₂H₄

So the above molecule means ETHENE

Alternatively, you could be told you are dealing with Butane.

BUTANE

and you need to work out what the molecule looks like

BUT (BUTE) = 4 Carbon Atoms

ANE = ALKANE = Single Bond

and you put the two together

4 Carbon Atoms + Single Bond

Would look like

Atomic shell structure of butane molecule

Butane means C₄H₁₀

YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT

Meth = 1 carbon atom

Eth = 2 carbon atoms

Prop = 3 carbon atoms

But = 4 carbon atoms

and

-ane = single carbon bond

-ene = double carbon bond

-anol = contains OH

Mammoth Chemistry

Links the numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4 to Meth, Eth, Prop and But by creating a picture of each number and linking that picture to Meth, Eth, Prop and But.

We learn that

1 = bun

2 = shoe

3 = tree

4 = door

(This is called the peg method).

and

Meth	=	Me teeth
Eth	=	Death
Prop	=	Propeller
But	=	Beautiful

We then connect the two

	1	=	Bun
	Meth	=	Me teeth

Me teeth eating a bun (Meth = 1)

	2	=	Shoe
	Eth	=	Death

Death wearing bright shoes (Eth = 2)

	3	=	Tree
	Prop	=	Propeller

Propeller in a tree (Prop = 3)

	4	=	Door
	But	=	Beautiful

Beautiful person in doorway (But = 4)

So now the word Prop means

Prop = Propeller = Tree = 3

Prop has 3 Carbon atoms

and this could mean we are dealing with either

Prop means this hydrocarbon contains 3 carbon atoms

Mammoth memory chemistry

Links the words single bond and double bond to the words "anes" and "enes" by creating a picture of "SINGLE" and "double bond" and linking that picture to "anes" and "enes".

We learn that

	Single	=	Shingle
	Anes (Alkanes)	=	Cane (Walking cane)

Walking canes standing in a shingle beach (single (bond) = anes)

we learn that

	Double bond	=	Two James Bonds
	enes (Alkenes)	=	Queen

Our two Queens need two James Bonds (Double Bond = ene)

So now the word Prop-ene means

Prop = Propeller = Tree = 3

(Prop has 3 Carbon atoms)

and

ene = Queen = Two James Bond = Double Bond

So from this we know we are dealing with

Propene is a hydrocarbon with 3 carbon atoms and a double bond

The following sections teach

The peg method

1 = bun

2 = shoe

3 = tree

4 = door

Alkanes	=	Canes	=	Shingle	=	Single
Alkenes	=	Queens	=	Two James Bonds	=	Double Bond
Meth	=	Me teeth eating a bun			=	Meth is 1 Carbon
Eth	=	Death with red shoes			=	Eth is 2
Prop	=	Propeller in a tree			=	Prop is 3
But	=	Beautiful in doorway			=	But is 4

So this allows you to know what is meant by methane, ethane, propane, and butane and also ethene, propene, and butene.