alkane

Plural: alkanes

Noun

• a series of non-aromatic saturated hydrocarbons with the general formula CnH(2n+2)
• Any acyclic saturated hydrocarbon (methane, ethane, etc.).

Examples

• "The carbon chain of an alkane may be linear or branched, but must not contain loops (cycles); its chemical formula is of the form CₙH₂ₙ₊₂."

Synonyms

alkane series, methane series, paraffin, paraffin series

Related Words

-ane, alkene, alkyne