BdMO Online Forum

What is the reason behind the irregularity of the melting point of the alkanes??

the bigger the molecule is the more are bonds.and, we need more heat to break them.that's why

U see, melting point increases from c-1 to c-2 and again drops from c-2 to c-3. then again increases then decreases. here c-2 denotes the Alkane with 2 carbon atoms. I was asking for the reason that will explain this irregularity

Ethane, propane and n-butane form layer structures in the solid state. By describing their molecular geometries as a rectangle, an irregular pentagon and an irregular hexagon, respectively, it is shown here that propane cannot close-pack like its congeners. The melting point of propane is therefore lower than expected in the series.
http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleL ... J/b004283h

Thanx Mahi,
U have saved me some time,:D

as my chemistry teacher said one who is proficient in organic chemistry he knows stereo chemistry very well. and i think that is nothing but physics s o all the proper explanation lies in physics