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Organic Chemistry

Homologous Series

Homologous Series

Homologous series is the series of an organic compound in which the successive members vary by a CH2 unit. Like in CH4 and C2H6, the difference is -CH2 and the difference in C2H6 and C3H8   is also -CH2 unit. So The organic compounds CH4, C2H6, and C3H8 are homologs. CH2 unit.

  • Each Homologous Series has the same function group.
  • The individual members differ by CH2 unit or 14 molecular weight.
  • The properties of an organic compound in the same homologs series are almost similar. (Like melting point, boiling point, bubble point, solubility, etc.)
  • The homologues series have the same general formula:

Alkanes – CnH2n+2

Alkene – CnH2n

Alkyne – CnH2n-2

Alcohol - CnH2n+2O

Ketone - CnH2nO

Ester- CnH2nO2 etc.