Hydrocarbons | Characteristics | Examples |
Aliphatic | Less dense than water; Molecule size is inversely proportional to its volatility and water solubility. | Methane, propane, butane (gas at room temperature); hexane, octane, hexadecane (liquidat room temperature); Eicosane, Triacontane and Pentacontane (solid at room temperature). |
Cycloaliphatic | Contain up to 6 carbon atoms in a ring; Fairly resistant to microbial degradation. | Cyclohexane, methyl cyclohexane, methylcyclopentane, 1,2-dimethylcyclopentane. |
Aromatic | Very volatile and relatively water-soluble; Havebenzenering; Some are resistant to microbial degradation. | Benzene, naphthalene, toluene, xylene and phenanthrene. |