alkane
The lighter alkanes methane, ethane, propane, and butane, showing the aliphatic chains, where a hydrogen atom bonds to a carbon atom at all available sites.
Member of a group of hydrocarbons having the general formula CnH2n + 2, commonly known as paraffins. As they contain only single covalent bonds, alkanes are said to be saturated. Lighter alkanes, such as methane, ethane, propane, and butane, are colourless gases; heavier ones are liquids or solids. In nature they are found in natural gas and petroleum.
| Their principal reactions are combustion and bromination. |
| C2H6 + Br2 →200°C C2H5Br + HBr |
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