Cycloalkanes

thumb|right|Ball-and-stick model of cyclobutane In organic chemistry, the cycloalkanes (also called naphthenes, but distinct from naphthalene) are the monocyclic saturated hydrocarbons. In other words, a cycloalkane consists only of hydrogen and carbon atoms arranged in a structure containing a single ring (possibly with side chains), and all of the carbon-carbon bonds are single. The larger cycloalkanes, with more than 20 carbon atoms are typically called cycloparaffins. All cycloalkanes are isomers of alkenes.

Cyclohexane is a cycloalkane with the molecular formula . Cyclohexane is non-polar. Cyclohexane is a colourless, flammable liquid with a distinctive detergent-like odor, reminiscent of cleaning products (in which it is sometimes used). Cyclohexane is mainly used for the industrial production of adipic acid and caprolactam, which are precursors to nylon.

Cyclopropane is the cycloalkane with the molecular formula (CH2)3, consisting of three methylene groups (CH2) linked to each other to form a triangular ring. The small size of the ring creates substantial ring strain in the structure. Cyclopropane itself is mainly of theoretical interest, but many cyclopropane derivatives are of commercial or biological significance.

Cyclobutane is a cycloalkane and organic compound with the formula (CH2)4. Cyclobutane is a colourless gas and is commercially available as a liquefied gas. Derivatives of cyclobutane are called cyclobutanes. Cyclobutane itself is of no commercial or biological significance, but more complex derivatives are important in biology and biotechnology.

Cyclopentane (also called C pentane) is a highly flammable alicyclic hydrocarbon with chemical formula C5H10 and CAS number 287-92-3, consisting of a ring of five carbon atoms each bonded with two hydrogen atoms above and below the plane. It is a colorless liquid with a petrol-like odor. Its freezing point is −94 °C and its boiling point is 49 °C. Cyclopentane is in the class of cycloalkanes, being alkanes that have one or more carbon rings. It is formed by cracking cyclohexane in the presence of alumina at a high temperature and pressure.

Cycloheptane, also known as suberane, is an organic compound, which belongs to the group of cycloalkanes. The compound can occur in different conformers.

Cyclooctane is a cycloalkane with the molecular formula (CH2)8. It is a simple colourless hydrocarbon, but it is often a reference compound for saturated eight-membered ring compounds in general.

Cyclodecane is a cycloalkane with the chemical formula C10H20.

Cyclononane is an alicyclic hydrocarbon consisting of a ring of nine carbon atoms. Its molecular formula is C9H18.

Cyclododecane is an organic compound with the chemical formula (CH2)12. It is a waxy white solid at room temperature, and is soluble in nonpolar organic solvents.

Cycloundecane is a saturated cyclic organic compound with eleven carbon atoms forming a ring. It is classed as an alkane because it has only carbon and hydrogen and these elements are configured with C–H and C–C such that there is a chain of carbon atoms with hydrogens attached to them. For each of the carbon atoms in the chain there is a pair of hydrogen atoms such that the chemical formula is C11H22. The compound is stable, but it burns with sufficient ignition heat.

Cyclotetradecane is an organic compound with the chemical formula (CH2)14. It is a simple fourteen-membered hydrocarbon.

Cyclotridecane is an organic compound with the chemical formula C13H26. It has a molecular weight of 182.3455.

Cyclopentadecane is the organic compound with the formula . It is a fifteen-member ring hydrocarbon. The compound is a precursor to the fragrance and scent muscone by autoxidation to cyclopentadecanol.

Cyclohexadecane is the organic compound with the formula . It is a sixteen-member ring hydrocarbon. It can be prepared from the large ring acyloin by reduction with zinc amalgam.