noun
- Plural of alkane; a class of saturated hydrocarbons containing only carbon and hydrogen atoms connected by single bonds, with the general formula CnH2n+2.
Usage: chemistry term; also called paraffins or saturated hydrocarbons
Examples
- Methane and ethane are the simplest alkanes.
- Alkanes are found in crude oil and natural gas.
- The combustion of alkanes produces carbon dioxide and water.
- Alkanes have lower boiling points than alkenes of similar molecular weight.
- Propane and butane are alkanes commonly used as fuels.
- In organic chemistry, students learn to name alkanes using systematic nomenclature.