alkane series n 1: a series of non-aromatic saturated hydrocarbons with the general formula CnH(2n+2) [syn: {methane series}, {alkane series}, {alkane}, {paraffin series}, {paraffin}]
alkane series \alkane series\ n. (Chem.) a series of acyclic non-aromatic saturated hydrocarbons with the general formula {CnH(2n+2)}. They include methane, ethane, propane, butane, and the paraffins. Syn: methane series, alkane series, paraffin [WordNet 1.5 PC]