What is a homologous series of carbon compounds? Give an example and list its three characteristics.
Answer
Homologous series is a group of compounds having the same functional groups and similar chemical properties.
All properties of homologous series are:
- They have the same general formula.
- Two successive members of a homologous series differ by a CH 2 group and a molecular mass of 14 amu.
- They have similar chemical properties but differ in physical properties.
- If a functional group is present, then all the members of the homologous series will have the same functional group.