Gasoline is a complex mixture of over 500 hydrocarbons that may have between 5 to 12 carbons. Alkanes type compounds, either straight chain or branched coupounds are present is greatest amounts. Smaller amounts of alkane cyclic and aromatic compounds are present. Very small or trace amounts of alkenes are present in gasoline. A few examples are given here. Self Quiz on gasoline compounds. |
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number |
Graphic Image |
Interactive Image* |
Paraffins or Alkanes | |||
n-butane |
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Graphic | Chime |
n-pentane |
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Graphic | Chime |
n-hexane |
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Graphic | Chime |
n-heptane |
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Graphic | Chime |
2-methylbutane |
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Graphic | Chime |
2,2-dimethylpropane |
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Graphic | Chime |
2,2-dimethylbutane |
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Graphic | Chime |
2,2-dimethylpentane |
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Graphic | Chime |
2,2,3-trimethylbutane |
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Graphic | Chime |
2,2,4-trimethylpentane (isooctane) |
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Graphic | Chime |
Olefins or Alkenes | |||
1-pentene |
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Graphic | Chime |
2-methyl-2-butene |
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Graphic | Chime |
3-methyl-2-pentene |
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Graphic | Chime |
2,4,4-trimethyl-1-pentene |
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Graphic | Chime |
Cycloalkanes or Naphthenes | |||
cyclopentane |
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Graphic | Chime |
methylcyclopentane |
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Graphic | Chime |
cyclohexane |
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Graphic | Chime |
1,2-dimethylcyclohexane |
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Graphic | Chime |
1,4-dimethylcyclohexane |
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Graphic | Chime |
Aromatics | |||
Benzene |
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Graphic | Chime |
Toluene or methylbenzene |
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Graphic | Chime |
m-xylene or 1,3-dimethylbenzene |
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Graphic | Chime |
Ethylbenzene |
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Graphic | Chime |
Propylbenzene |
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Graphic | Chime |
Isopropylbenzene |
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Graphic | Chime |