Is "butane" an homologue of "butane"?

1 Answer
Mar 8, 2016

I take it your question relates to butane, n-C_4H_10, and but-2-ene, H_3C-CH=CHCH_3? No they are NOT homologues.

Explanation:

Butane is an alkane, with general formula C_4H_10. But-2-ene has general formula C_4H_8, and is an olefin, an alkene.

A useful concept to develop is the idea of the degree of unsaturation; each degree of unsaturation corresponds to a DOUBLE BOND or a RING. An carbon chain of n carbons thus has (2n+2) hydrogen atoms if it is saturated. You can see the relationship between butane, C_4H_10, and unsaturated C_4H_8 (it could be cyclobutane, but here it is butene). The C_4H_8 formula has 2 hydrogens less than the unsaturated formula, and thus an olefinic bond OR a ring junction MUST be present.