The statement "Alkane compounds normally resist oxidation" means what?

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) Alkanes are generally inert towards common oxidizing agents like $KMnO_4$ or $K_2Cr_2O_7$ at room temperature because they lack functional groups and have strong $C-C$ and $C-H$ sigma bonds.
However,alkanes undergo combustion,which is a highly exothermic oxidation reaction.
For example,in the combustion of butane $(C_4H_{10})$: $2C_4H_{10} + 13O_2 \rightarrow 8CO_2 + 10H_2O$.
In $C_4H_{10}$,the oxidation state of carbon is $-2.5$,while in $CO_2$,it is $+4$. Since the oxidation number of carbon increases,this process is an oxidation reaction.
Therefore,the statement implies that alkanes are resistant to mild oxidation but undergo vigorous oxidation (combustion) at high temperatures.

Explore More

Similar Questions

Complete the following reactions for the pyrolysis of $n$-hexane and kerosene:

The catalyst used for the isomerisation of $n$-alkanes to branched chain alkanes is

The decreasing order of boiling points is

$A$ compound $A$ contains $C$ and $H$ only and has a molecular mass of $72$. Its photochlorination gives a mixture containing only one monochloro and two dichloro hydrocarbons. What is its $IUPAC$ name?

The chemicals and the reaction conditions required for the preparation of ethane are:

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo