what is an alkane

An alkane is an organic compound that consists entirely of single-bonded carbon and hydrogen atoms and lacks any other functional groups. Alkanes have the general formula CnH2n+2 and can be subdivided into three groups: linear straight-chain alkanes, branched alkanes, and cycloalkanes. They are also known as saturated hydrocarbons, meaning that all of the carbon atoms are "saturated" with hydrogen atoms and do not contain any carbon-carbon double bonds or triple bonds. Alkanes are unreactive towards acids, bases, oxidizing agents, reducing agents, and most other reagents that organic chemists have in their arsenals. However, they are important for their ability to undergo combustion with molecular oxygen, making them the principal constituent of gasoline and lubricating oils and extensively employed in organic chemistry.