alkane

[ al-keyn ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. any member of the alkane series.

alkane

/ ˈælkeɪn /

noun

1. Also calledparaffin
   1. any saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon with the general formula C n H 2n+2
   2. ( as modifier )

      alkane series

alkane

/ ăl′kān′ /

1. Any of a group of hydrocarbons that have carbon atoms in chains linked by single bonds and that have the general formula C n H 2n + 2 . Alkanes can be either gaseous, liquid, or solid. They occur naturally in petroleum and natural gas, and include methane, propane and butane.
2. Also called paraffin
3. ◆ The group of alkanes as a whole is called the alkane series or the methane or paraffin series. Its first six members are methane, ethane, propane, butane, pentane, and hexane.

Word History and Origins

Origin of alkane¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; alk(yl) + -ane

Example Sentences

Therefore, anaerobic alkane oxidation can occur only if it is coupled to an extremely thermodynamically favourable reduction reaction.

From Nature

Light alkane oxidation using catalysts prepared by chemical vapour impregnation: tuning alcohol selectivity through catalyst pre-treatment.

From Nature

When the two catalysts are added to a batch of short alkanes, the first catalyst strips hydrogen atoms off adjacent carbon atoms in single alkane molecules.

From Science Magazine

Much of the recent research on homogeneous alkane oxidation has focused on the use of transition metal catalysts.

From Science Magazine

However, the E. coli did not make much of the alkane fuel.

From BBC