Topic overview

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The defining feature of an alkane is its network of carbon–carbon and carbon–hydrogen sigma bonds, with no pi bonds. Naming begins with the longest continuous carbon chain and the -ane suffix; alkyl substituents are named as prefixes. Carbon atoms are classified by how many other carbons they are attached to, a distinction relevant to radical halogenation. Structural isomerism arises from different carbon skeletons, beginning with butane, whereas conformers differ through rotation around bonds rather than connectivity. The broader topic also considers branching, physical-property trends, cycloalkane stereoisomerism, and selected reactions. These ideas provide a framework for recognizing how structure influences alkane properties and reactivity.