The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

alkane \alkane\ n. (Chem.)
   a non-aromatic saturated acyclic hydrocarbon with the general
   formula CnH(2n+2). A member of the alkane series.
   [WordNet 1.5]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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]