Cracking Hydrocarbons: 1 of 28 © Boardworks LTD 2016

Cracking Hydrocarbons
1 of 28 © Boardworks Ltd 2016


What is crude oil?
Crude oil is a hydrocarbon (it contains only hydrogen and
carbon atoms). Crude oil itself has no uses – it must first be
processed and refined. This is done in an oil refinery.
During the refining of

crude oil, compounds
in the oil are separated
into similar groups
called fractions.
Each fraction contains a mix of compounds with a similar

number of carbon atoms.

Supply and demand
The amount of each type of fraction obtained by fractional
distillation does not usually match the amount of each
fraction that is needed.
Crude oil often contains a
greater quantity of heavier
fractions than lighter
fractions. Lighter fractions
are more useful and
therefore more in demand.
The large hydrocarbon molecules

in the heavier fractions can be broken
down into smaller, more useful
molecules. This is called cracking.

Catalytic cracking
Long-chain hydrocarbon molecules can be broken down into
smaller, more useful molecules using a catalyst.
This is called catalytic cracking and is an example

of a thermal decomposition reaction.
Catalytic cracking requires:
 high temperatures
 a catalyst.
During cracking, the long molecules break

apart, forming smaller alkanes and alkenes.
Alkenes are reactive molecules that are used
to make plastics and other chemicals.

How does catalytic cracking work?

Catalytic cracking in the lab

Steam cracking
Another method of cracking hydrocarbons uses steam.
This is an uncatalysed method of breaking down

the hydrocarbons.
The fractions, containing gaseous hydrocarbon molecules,

are mixed with steam and heated to very high
temperatures – over 800˚C!
This results in the breaking of

the covalent bonds in the
hydrocarbon molecules.
This is also an example of

thermal decomposition.


Products of cracking hydrocarbons
The products of catalytic cracking include smaller alkanes
and alkenes.
Alkanes are a type of hydrocarbon compound

with the general formula CnH2n+2, for example,
C2H6 (ethane).
Alkenes are a family of hydrocarbon

compounds with the general formula
CnH2n, for example, C2H4 (ethene).

Alkanes or alkenes?

What are alkenes?
Alkanes contain chains of carbon atoms joined by single
carbon–carbon covalent bonds. This means that they are
saturated hydrocarbons.
Alkenes are very similar to alkanes, but they contain at least

one double covalent bond between the carbon atoms. This
means that they are unsaturated hydrocarbons.
The double covalent bond in

alkenes makes them much more double covalent
reactive than alkanes. bond
The simplest alkene is ethene. It

has the formula C2H4.

Testing for alkenes

Alkane or alkene?


Chemical reactions of cracking
Multiple reactions occur at random during cracking. This
produces a range of different short chain products.
One example is the cracking of nonane, C9H20.
nonane propene + hextane
The balanced equation for this reaction would be:
C9H20 C3H6 + C6H14
Nonane can also be cracked into other products.
What other combinations of products could be formed

from cracking nonane?

Cracking nonane – what’s the product? (I)
Nonane could also be split into two molecules of ethene and
one molecule of ethane.
nonane
C9H20
+ + + ?
ethene ethene ethane

The number of carbon and hydrogen atoms in the products
must equal that in the reactant.
What is the third product in the reaction?
Cracking nonane – what’s the product? (II)
Compare the number of carbon and hydrogen atoms in the
products with that found in nonane, C9H20.
2 molecules of ethene:
 number of carbon atoms: 4
 number of hydrogen atoms: 8
1 molecule of ethane:
 number of carbon atoms: 2
 number of hydrogen atoms: 6
Total number of carbon atoms in products: 4 + 2 = 6

Total number of hydrogen atoms in products: 8 + 6 = 14

Cracking nonane – what’s the product? (III)
There are 9 carbon atoms in nonane, this means that the
number of carbon atoms in the third product equals:
9-6=3
There are 20 hydrogen atoms in nonane, this means that the
number of hydrogen atoms in the third product equals:
20 - 14 = 6
The formula for the third product is therefore: C3H6
The full equation for the cracking of nonane is:
C9H20 2C2H4 + C2H6 + C3H6
Is the equation balanced?

Cracking decane
Another example is decane, from the naphtha fraction. This
can be cracked to form pentane, propene and ethene.
decane
(C10H22)
+ +
pentane propene ethene
What is the symbol equation for this reaction?


Alkenes and polymers
Cracking converts less useful alkanes into more useful alkenes.
The presence of the reactive double bond in alkenes
makes them useful starting materials.
Alkenes are therefore crucial for the manufacture of
commonly used materials and chemicals.
Alkenes can be used to make:
 polymers e.g. PVC

and poly(ethene)
 fuels
 alcohols and other

industrial chemicals
Polymers
Polymerisation is the reaction used to convert monomers
into polymers.
The monomers used are often alkenes, which join

together to form long chained polymers.
Polymers are the basis of plastics and are crucial for the
development of packaging, clothing and other materials.
section of a polymer
Polymers everywhere!
What everyday items do you use that are made of polymers?

How is poly(ethene) made?


Glossary

Multiple-choice quiz

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Cracking Hydrocarbons

1 of 28 © Boardworks Ltd 2016

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During the refining of

Each fraction contains a mix of compounds with a similar

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The large hydrocarbon molecules

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This is called catalytic cracking and is an example

Catalytic cracking requires:

During cracking, the long molecules break

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This is an uncatalysed method of breaking down

The fractions, containing gaseous hydrocarbon molecules,

This results in the breaking of

This is also an example of

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Alkanes are a type of hydrocarbon compound

Alkenes are a family of hydrocarbon

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Alkenes are very similar to alkanes, but they contain at least

The double covalent bond in

The simplest alkene is ethene. It

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nonane propene + hextane

The balanced equation for this reaction would be:

C9H20 C3H6 + C6H14

Nonane can also be cracked into other products.

What other combinations of products could be formed

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ethene ethene ethane

Total number of carbon atoms in products: 4 + 2 = 6

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The formula for the third product is therefore: C3H6

The full equation for the cracking of nonane is:

C9H20 2C2H4 + C2H6 + C3H6

Is the equation balanced?

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pentane propene ethene

What is the symbol equation for this reaction?

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 polymers e.g. PVC

 alcohols and other

The monomers used are often alkenes, which join

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