alkane
Definition
- Noun:
- A type of hydrocarbon: An alkane is a chemical compound belonging to a series of simple, saturated hydrocarbons. Its molecules contain only single bonds between carbon atoms and are saturated with hydrogen atoms. The general chemical formula for this series is CₙH₂ₙ₊₂.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- Methane, the simplest alkane, is the primary component of natural gas.
- Butane, an alkane with four carbon atoms, is commonly used as a fuel in lighters.
- The chemical stability of an alkane is due to its single covalent bonds.
Advanced Usage
- "Normal alkane" or "n-alkane": Refers to an alkane with an unbranched chain of carbon atoms.
- Pentane is a normal alkane, while isopentane is a branched isomer.
- "Cycloalkane": While not an alkane itself, this term is used for related saturated hydrocarbons that form a ring structure, contrasting them with the straight or branched-chain alkanes.
- Cyclohexane is a cycloalkane, not a standard alkane, because its carbon atoms are arranged in a ring.
Variants and Related Words
- Paraffin (n): A common synonym for alkane, especially in older technical contexts or when referring to certain mixtures.
- Paraffin wax is composed mainly of longer-chain alkanes.
- Saturated hydrocarbon (n): The broader chemical category to which alkanes belong.
- Alkanes are the simplest examples of saturated hydrocarbons.
- Alkyl (adj/n): A functional group derived from an alkane by removing one hydrogen atom.
- An alkyl group is often represented by the symbol 'R' in chemical formulas.
Synonyms
- Paraffin: (As above, a direct synonym in chemical nomenclature).
- Saturated hydrocarbon: (Describes the key chemical characteristic).
Related Phrases / Terms
- Alkane series: Refers to the entire homologous series of these compounds (methane, ethane, propane, etc.).
- The first ten members of the alkane series are well-known.
- Branched-chain alkane: An alkane where the carbon chain is not straight but has one or more branches.
- Isobutane is a branched-chain alkane with the same formula as butane.
Noun
-
a series of non-aromatic saturated hydrocarbons with the general formula CnH(2n+2)
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