Aliphatic compound

In organic chemistry, compounds composed of carbon and hydrogen are divided into two classes: aromatic compounds, which contain benzene and other similar compounds, and aliphatic compounds (G. aleiphar, fat, oil), which do not.^[1] In aliphatic compounds, carbon atoms can be joined together in straight chains, branched chains, or rings. They can be joined by single bonds (alkanes), double bonds (alkenes), or triple bonds (alkynes). Besides hydrogen, other elements can be bound to the carbon chain, the most common being oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and chlorine.

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The simplest aliphatic compound is methane (CH₄). Aliphatics include alkanes such as fatty acids and paraffin hydrocarbons, alkenes (such as ethylene) and alkynes (such as acetylene).

Most aliphatic compounds are flammable, thus allowing hydrocarbons such as methane to fuel Bunsen burners in the laboratory, whereas acetylene is used in welding.

Examples

See also

• Aromatic compound
• Carbon-carbon bond

References

1. ^ International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (1995). "Aliphatic compounds". Compendium of Chemical Terminology Internet edition.