An acyclic branched or unbranched hydrocarbon having the general formula CnH2n+2, and therefore consisting entirely of hydrogen atoms and saturated carbon atoms.
| Member | Definition | Role |
|---|
| 2-methylpentane | | 2-Methylpentane |
| 2,2,4-trimethylpentane | An alkane that consists of pentane bearing two methyl substituents at position 2 and a single methyl substituent at position 4. | isooctane |
| 2,2,4,4,6,8,8-heptamethylnonane | A branched alkane that is nonane carrying seven methyl substituents at positions 2, 2, 4, 4, 6, 8 and 8. | 2,2,4,4,6,8,8-heptamethylnonane |
| 2,3,4-trimethylpentane | An alkane that is pentane substituted by a methyl group at positions 2,3 and 4. It is a constituent of gasoline. | 2,3,4-trimethylpentane |
| 3-methylhexane | An alkane that is hexane substituted by a methyl group at position 3. | 3-methylhexane |
| 3-methylpentane | An alkane that is pentane which is substituted by a methyl group at position 3. It is used as a solvent in organic synthesis, as a lubricant and as a raw material for producing carbon black. | 3-methylpentane |
| butane | A straight chain alkane composed of 4 carbon atoms. | butane |
| decane | A straight-chain alkane with 10 carbon atoms. | decane |
| ethane | An alkane comprising of two carbon atoms. | ethane |
| isopentane | An alkane that is butane substituted by a methyl group at position 2. | isopentane |
| methane | A one-carbon compound in which the carbon is attached by single bonds to four hydrogen atoms. It is a colourless, odourless, non-toxic but flammable gas (b.p. -161degreeC). | methane |
| n-dodecane | A straight-chain alkane with 12 carbon atoms. It has been isolated from the essential oils of various plants including Zingiber officinale (ginger). | dodecane |
| n-heptane | A straight-chain alkane with seven carbon atoms. It has been found in Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi). | heptane |
| n-hexane | An unbranched alkane containing six carbon atoms. | hexane |
| neopentane | | neopentane |
| nonane | A straight chain alkane composed of 9 carbon atoms. | nonane |
| octane | A straight chain alkane composed of 8 carbon atoms. | octane |
| pentane | A straight chain alkane consisting of 5 carbon atoms. | pentane |
| propane | | propane |
| undecane | A straight-chain alkane with 11 carbon atoms. | undecane |