Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons containing only single covalent bonds ($C-C$ and $C-H$).

• General Formula: $C_n{H}_{2n+2}$, where '$n$' is the number of carbon atoms.
• For $n=1$: $C{H}_4$ (Methane)
• For $n=2$: $C_2{H}_6$ (Ethane)
• Alkanes are also known as paraffins (Latin: parum affinis = little affinity) because they are relatively unreactive due to the strength of $C-C$ and $C-H$ sigma bonds.