| General formula | CHnH2n+2 | CHnH2n | CHnH2n-2 |
| Naming | All the members end with 'ane' | All the members end with 'ene’ | All the members end with 'yne’ |
| Physical state | Members having 1-4 carbon atoms per molecule are gases/5-17 carbon atoms are liquids and 18 or more are solids at room temperature | Members having 2-4 carbon atoms per molecule are gases/5-15 carbon atoms per molecule are liquids and the higher members are solids | Members having 2-4 carbon atoms per molecule are gases/5-13 are liquids and the higher members are solids |
| Melting and boiling points | The melting and boiling points increases with increase in molecular mass. | The melting and boiling points increases with the increase in molecular mass | The melting and boiling points increases with the increase in molecular mass |
| Solubility | They are insoluble in water; soluble in benzene, alcohol, ether and carbon tetrachloride. | They are insoluble in water; soluble in benzene, ethanol and ether. | They are insoluble in water and soluble in benzene, alcohol, acetone and ether. |
| Combustion | They undergo complete combustion production CO2, H2O and heat. | They burn with a sooty flame because of the higher percentage of carbon in them producing CO2 H2O and heat. | They burn with a sooty flame because of the higher percentage of carbon in them producing Co2 H2O and heat. |
| Substitution reaction | Undergo substitution substitution reaction in the presence of sun light | Do not undergo substitution reaction. | Do not undergo substitution reaction. |
| Addition reaction | Do not undergo addition reaction as they are saturated | Undergo addition reactions | Undergo addition reactions |
| Reaction with bromine water | Do not decolorise bromine water | Decolorise bromine water | Decolourise bromine water |
| Reaction with acidified KMnO4 | Do not decolorise acidified KMnO4 solution | Decolorise acidified KMnO4 solution | Decolorise acidified KMnO4 solution |
| Reaction with ammoniacal cuprous chloride solution | No reaction | Do not give any precipitate on reaction | Give reddish brown precipitate on reaction |
