alkanowe

Alkanowe, in Polish usage, refers to alkanes, a class of saturated hydrocarbons composed solely of carbon and hydrogen with only single bonds. In English, they are known as alkanes. For acyclic alkanes, the general formula is C_nH_{2n+2} (n ≥ 1); cycloalkanes have the formula C_nH_{2n}.

Each carbon in an alkane is sp3 hybridized and adopts a tetrahedral geometry. Straight-chain and branched isomers exist, and the number of possible structures increases rapidly with the number of carbon atoms. Common examples include methane, ethane, propane, and butane, with increasingly complex isomers in higher the carbon counts.

Physically, alkanes are nonpolar, and their boiling points rise with molecular size. They are sparingly soluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. Alkanes are typically flammable and burn in air to produce carbon dioxide and water; combustion efficiency depends on chain length and purity.

Most alkanes are obtained from natural gas and petroleum. Production involves processes such as fractional distillation, cracking, and reforming to separate and upgrade hydrocarbon fractions for various uses.

Applications of alkanes include fuels for heating and transportation, solvents, and feedstocks in the chemical industry. Environmental considerations center on their role as greenhouse gases when combusted and released, while safety concerns focus on flammability and inhalation hazards.