Which of the following is the general formula for an acyclic alkane?

Solution

1. Acyclic alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons containing only single bonds.
2. For $n$ carbon atoms, the maximum number of hydrogen atoms that can be bonded is given by the formula $2n + 2$.
3. Therefore, the general formula is ${\text{C}}_n{\text{H}}_{2n+2}$.
4. Hence the answer is (B).