Talk:Homologous series

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The contents of the Homology (chemistry) page were merged into Homologous series on 27 August 2023. For the contribution history and old versions of the redirected page, please see its history; for the discussion at that location, see its talk page.

I have replaced the two paragraphs:

"Even while the general formulae are the same, they have different structures...",

and

"Compounds in each set have the same little group of atoms called the functional group..."

with:

"Even though the general formula remains constant in a homologous series, specific members of the series may have different structures or entirely different properties. Compounds in each series typically have a similar group of atoms called a

."

I'm hoping this is more clearly worded, as the original paragraphs (esp. the first) were confusing.

Jthechemist (talk) 21:54, 2 October 2009 (UTC)[reply]

"Even while the general formula are the same..." shouldn't "formula" be formulae or formulas? JohnJohn 01:44, 31 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

yes it should, you could change it

No, it should not. A homologous series has only one general formula, so the singular "formula" is correct. Example: The formula C_nH_2n+2 can describe methane, ethane, propane, etc... Jthechemist (talk) 23:28, 20 August 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Isn't the function group for the straight chain alkanes just a single carbon bond (C-C)?

FreeT (talk) 23:18, 1 April 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I would like to see a little more detail i.e. images showing the carbon chains. http://picasaweb.google.com/Igloo.minusice/Chemistry?feat=directlink (This a representation of C3H8 - Propane )

—Preceding unsigned comment added by Eco impact (talk • contribs) 04:39, 5 March 2010 (UTC)[reply] 

The article's definition of a "holologous series" seemed too general. The word "series" implies that the members can be arranged in a single file and uniquely identified by an integer parameter. Thus a collection of compounds with shared functional group(s) (such as

hydrocarbons) may constitute a "chemical family" or "class of homologous compounds", but not necessarily a "series".
One could allow for "two-dimensional series" like the unbranched bicyclic alkanes, and so on. Still it would be inadequate to call the whole alkane family a "series", IMHO.
Therefore I have trimmed the definition to the strictest concept above, and removed the following entry from the table, while this point is cleared:

Carbohydrates

Cx(H2O)y (n ≥ 1)

C6H12O6

--Jorge Stolfi (talk) 00:47, 28 January 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Interesting point. "Series" is indeed usually linear. But: (a) "Series" is used that way in chemistry. Wikipedia can only reflect that. Wikipedia is neither prescriptive (telling others what to do) nor authoritative (superceding experts/practitioners). (b) Non-chemists will tend to see/consider only simpler series, so they will suffer less confusion. Chemists get used to it and thus are not confused. (c) What else would you use instead of "series"? Does English even have multidimensional analogs of "series"? [No. "Mesh" and "net" do not count as they imply regularity. "Tree" fails for comparable reasons.]

2601:1C1:C180:4F40:0:0:0:452D (talk) 02:09, 13 February 2022 (UTC) A Nony Mouse[reply]

An anonymous used changed "differing by a single parameter" to "having a difference in its compounds of ch2". I believe this is too restrictive; for example polyynes, cumulenes, are hmologous series too. Aren't they? --Jorge Stolfi (talk) 05:15, 24 February 2013 (UTC)[reply]

if you are.)

For

]

Add some more examples

More examples of Homologous series can be added; for instance, homologous series of haloalkanes with the general formula C_nH_2n+1-X (where X represents Cl, Br, I), homologous series of aldehydes with the general formula C_nH_2nO, homologous series of ketones with the general formula C_nH_2nO, where n≥3, homologous series of alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl. It is suggested to rename it from "examples of homologous series" to "list of homologous series".

organic chemistry

what is the general formula of 1. alkane 2. alkene 3.alkyl — Preceding unsigned comment added by 105.112.227.103 (talk) 13:34, 5 June 2022 (UTC)[reply]