alkanes

Variant: paraffins

Saturated hydrocarbons with the general formula C_nH_2n+2. In systematic chemical nomenclature alkane names end in the suffix -ane. They form a homologous series (the alkane series) methane (CH₄), ethane (C₂H₆), propane (C₃H₈), butane (C₄H₁₀), pentane (C₅H₁₂), etc. The lower members of the series are gases; the high-molecular weight alkanes are waxy solids. Alkanes are present in natural gas and petroleum. They can be made by heating the sodium salt of a carboxylic acid with soda lime:

Other methods include the Wurtz reaction and Kolbe's method. Generally the alkanes are fairly unreactive. They form haloalkanes with halogens when irradiated with ultraviolet radiation.

External Links:

• http://www.acdlabs.com/iupac/nomenclature/79/r79_34.htm -- Information about IUPAC nomenclature
• http://www.acdlabs.com/iupac/nomenclature/79/r79_36.htm -- Further details about nomenclature

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