Question

Why are alkane called as paraffins?

• A. Little affinity towards a general reagent
• B. Alkanes are inert substances
• C. They are highly polar in nature.
• D. (a) and (b) above.

Answer 1

The correct option is D (a) and (b) above.

Alkanes are called paraffins because they have little affinity towards general reagents under normal conditions.
They are inert towards general reagents under normal conditions.
They are non-reactive as they are non-polar and have no $\pi$ bonds ($\sigma$ bonds only).