What is the Difference Between Cyclopropane Propane and Propene?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The key difference between cyclopropane, propane, and propene is their chemical structures and the types of hydrocarbons they are:
- Cyclopropane: This is a cyclic or closed-ring compound, meaning the carbon atoms form a ring-like structure. It has the chemical formula (CH2)3 and is classified as a cyclic alkane. Cyclopropane is a colorless gas with a sweet odor and is highly strained due to the small ring structure.
- Propane: This is a non-cyclic or open-chain compound, with the chemical formula C3H8. Propane is an example of an alkane and is a gaseous substance at room temperature and pressure.
- Propene: This is an alkene, meaning it has a carbon-carbon double bond in its structure. Chemically, propene is represented as CH2=CHCH3 and is not a cyclic compound like cyclopropane.
All three compounds contain three carbon atoms per molecule and are organic hydrocarbons, meaning they only contain hydrogen and carbon atoms.
Comparative Table: Cyclopropane Propane vs Propene
Here is a table comparing the differences between cyclopropane, propane, and propene:
Property | Cyclopropane | Propane | Propene |
---|---|---|---|
Chemical Formula | (CH2)3 | C3H8 | C3H6 |
Category | Cyclic Alkane | Non-cyclic Alkane | Alkene |
Molecular Structure | Cyclic ring structure with three carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms | Linear structure with three carbon atoms and eight hydrogen atoms | Linear structure with three carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms |
Bond Angles | 60° (small ring structure) | 109.5° (normal tetrahedral carbon) | 109.5° (normal tetrahedral carbon) |
Ring Strain | High due to small ring structure and reduced bond angles | None | None |
Torsional Strain | Yes (eclipsed conformation) | None | None |
Molar Mass | 42 g/mol | 44.1 g/mol | 42 g/mol |
Melting Point | -128°C | -187.6°C | -184.5°C |
Boiling Point | -33°C | -42.1°C | -21°C |
Acidity of C-H Bonds | More acidic due to increased s-character in the orbital (pKa ≈ 46) | Less acidic | Less acidic |
Uses | Anaesthetic when inhaled | Used as a fuel and refrigerant | Intermediate in the production of polymers |
Cyclopropane is a cyclic compound with three carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms, forming a ring structure with high ring strain due to the small ring and reduced bond angles. Propane is a non-cyclic, linear alkane with three carbon atoms and eight hydrogen atoms, with no ring strain. Propene is an alkene with three carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms, also in a linear structure, but with double bonds between the carbons.
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