Alkane

Pronunciation: /ˈælkeɪn/

Definitions of alkane

noun a type of hydrocarbon compound that consists entirely of single-bonded carbon and hydrogen atoms

Example Sentences

A1 An alkane is a type of hydrocarbon.

A2 Students in chemistry class learn about the properties of alkanes.

B1 The combustion of alkanes produces carbon dioxide and water.

B2 Organic chemists study the reactions of alkanes with various reagents.

C1 The synthesis of complex molecules often involves the manipulation of alkanes.

C2 Alkanes are used as starting materials in the production of many industrial chemicals.

Examples of alkane in a Sentence

formal The alkane series is a group of hydrocarbons with single bonds between carbon atoms.

informal Alkanes are simple molecules made up of only carbon and hydrogen atoms.

slang I prefer working with alkanes because they're easy to understand.

figurative In the chemistry world, alkanes are like the building blocks for more complex compounds.

Grammatical Forms of alkane

• plural: alkanes
• comparative: more alkane
• superlative: most alkane
• present tense: alkane
• future tense: will alkane
• perfect tense: have alkane
• continuous tense: is alkane
• singular: alkane
• positive degree: alkane
• infinitive: to alkane
• gerund: alkaning
• participle: alkaned

Origin and Evolution of alkane

First Known Use: 1866 year

Language of Origin: Arabic

Story behind the word: The word 'alkane' is derived from the Arabic al- meaning 'the' and the root word kane, which means 'like'.

Evolution of the word: The term 'alkane' was first used in 1866 by the German chemist August Wilhelm von Hofmann to describe a class of saturated hydrocarbons. Over time, the term has become widely used in organic chemistry to refer to a specific group of hydrocarbons with single bonds between carbon atoms.