Alkana

Alkana is the term used in some languages for the chemical class more widely known in English as alkanes. They are saturated hydrocarbons consisting only of carbon and hydrogen with single carbon–carbon bonds. The general formula for acyclic alkana is CnH2n+2, where n is the number of carbon atoms (n ≥ 1). Methane (CH4) is the simplest alkana.

Alkana are nonpolar and relatively unreactive compared with other hydrocarbon classes. Their characteristic reactions include combustion and, under appropriate conditions, substitution reactions with halogens. Physical properties correlate with molecular weight: boiling points rise with increasing chain length, and they are sparingly soluble in water but dissolve in organic solvents. Isomerism begins at C4, giving straight-chain (n-alkana) and branched isomers.

Occurrence and production: alkanas occur naturally in crude oil and natural gas and are major components of fuels. Industrially, they are produced and refined from petroleum through distillation, cracking, and various processing steps that adjust the distribution of chain lengths. They serve as fuels and as feedstocks; lighter alkanas are common fuels, while heavier members are used as lubricants, waxes, and chemical intermediates.

Applications and safety: as fuels, alkanas power transportation, heating, and electricity generation. They also find use as solvents and as starting materials for further chemical transformations. Safety considerations focus on flammability and the potential to form explosive vapour–air mixtures; handling requires proper storage, ventilation, and avoidance of ignition sources. While widely used, the term alkana is less common in English, where alkane is the standard name for the family.