What is a homologous series of carbon compounds? Give an example and list its three characteristics.


A homologous series is a group of organic compounds having similar structures and similar chemical properties in which the successive compounds differ by CHgroup.

Example: All the alkanes have similar structures with single covalent bonds and show similar chemical properties, so they can be grouped together in the form of a homologous series.

Characteristics of a homologous series are given:
(i) All the members of the homologous series can be represented by the same general formula.
(ii) Any two adjacent homologues differ by 1 carbon atom and 2 hydrogen atoms in their molecular formulae.
(iii) The difference in the molecular masses of any two adjacent homologues is 14 u.

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Updated on: 10-Oct-2022

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