-ane

Chemical naming suffix In organic chemistry, the suffix -ane forms the names of organic compounds where the \sC\sC\s group (a carbon-carbon single bond) has been attributed the highest priority according to the rules of organic nomenclature. Such organic compounds are called alkanes. They are saturated hydrocarbons. The names of the saturated hydrides of non-metals end with the suffix -ane: the hydrides of silicon are called silanes (SiH4); the hydrides of boron are boranes (B2H6). The final "-e" is dropped before a suffix that starts with a vowel, e.g. "propanol". The Commission on the Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry 1958 (A: Hydrocarbons, and B: Fundamental Heterocyclic Systems), 1965 (C: Characteristic Groups) 1971 3rd combined Butterworths London 0-408-70144-7 Alternatively, "-ane" may be used for a mononuclear hydride of an element. For instance, methane for CH4 and oxidane for H2O (water). IUPAC, Commission on Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry 1993 A Guide to IUPAC Nomenclature of Organic Compounds http://www.acdlabs.com/iupac/nomenclature/93/r93_182.htm For the etymology, see Alkane. See also IUPAC nomenclature of organic chemistry References ane ane