Difference Between Paraffinic and Naphthenic

Thekey differencebetween paraffinic and naphthenic is thatparaffinic substances containalkaneswhile naphthenic substances contain cyclic脂肪族碳氢化合物.

The term paraffinic refers to substances containing paraffin compounds, whereas the term naphthenic refers to the substances containing naphthene. We commonly use these terms in organic chemistry as well as in industrial chemistry. Paraffins are alkanes while naphthenes are cyclic aliphatic hydrocarbons.

1.Overview and Key Difference
2.What is Paraffinic
3.What is Naphthenic
4.Side by Side Comparison – Paraffinic vs Naphthenic in Tabular Form
5.Summary

What is Paraffinic?

The term paraffinic refers to substances containing paraffins. Paraffins are alkanes. These are acyclic saturated hydrocarbons. Moreover, the general formula of paraffins is C_nH_2n+2. There are onlysingle bondsbetween carbon atoms, and the molecule has a tree structure. Therefore, all the carbon atoms in paraffinic compounds aresp3 hybridized. Thus, this means each carbon atom has four single bonds around it.

Key Difference - Paraffinic vs Naphthenic

Figure 1: Structure of Methane, which is the Simplest Structure of a Paraffin

We mainly use the term paraffin for higher alkanes that exist as waxes at room temperature. These compounds are colourless solid hydrocarbon mixtures of alkanes we can use to make candles, wax paper, lubricants, etc.

What is Naphthenic

Naphthenic refers to substances containing naphthene. Naphthenes are cyclic, aliphatic hydrocarbons that are manufactured from petroleum oil. The general formula of naphthenes is C_nH_2n. Furthermore, these compounds have one or more rings ring structures, which has only single bonds. Therefore, these are saturated hydrocarbon compounds. We call them cycloparaffin.

Difference Between Paraffinic and Naphthenic

Figure 2: Simple Naphthenic Compounds

Moreover, we can easily convert naphthenic crude oil into gasoline than converting paraffinic crude oil.

What is the Difference Between Paraffinic and Naphthenic?

The key difference between paraffinic and naphthenic is that the term paraffinic refers to substances containing paraffin compounds, whereas the term naphthenic refers to the substances containing naphthene. Further, the general formula of paraffinic substances is C_nH_2n+2while the general formula for naphthenic compounds is C_nH_2n. Moreover, when considering the conversion of crude oil into gasoline, it is comparatively easy to convert naphthenic crude oil into gasoline; this is the reverse with paraffinic crude oil.

Below infographic summarizes the difference between paraffinic and naphthenic.

Summary – Paraffinic vs Naphthenic

The term paraffinic refers to substances containing paraffin compounds, whereas the term naphthenic refers to the substances containing naphthene. Thus, paraffinic substances contain alkanes, while naphthenic substances contain cyclic aliphatic hydrocarbons. Thus, this is the key difference between paraffinic and naphthenic.

Reference:

1. Helmenstine, Anne Marie. “Naphthenes Definition and Examples.” ThoughtCo, Jun. 17, 2019,Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Methane-2D-stereo” By SVG version by Patricia.fidi – Own work (Public Domain) viaCommons Wikimedia
2. “First four cycloalkanes” By Pete Davis – Own work (Public Domain) viaCommons Wikimedia