Linear alkanes are alkanes that do not have branches such as the two alkanes shown below.
The name of a linear alkane can be divided into two parts (stem + suffix).
The stem depends on the number of carbon atoms in the chain.
Number
of carbons | stem | Number
of carbons | stem |
| 1 | meth | 5 | pent |
| 2 | eth | 6 | hex |
| 3 | prop | 7 | hept |
| 4 | but | 8 | oct |
The
suffix is -
ane for alkanes.
Alkanes are distinguished from other hydrocarbons in that they are saturated.
Saturated hydrocarbons have no double bonds.
Consider the names of the two linear alkanes below:
CH3CH2CH3 propane
CH3CH2CH2CH3 butane