1. Saturated hydrocarbons containing one or more rings of carbon atoms with only single bonds between them.
Usage: chemistry; plural form; singular is cycloalkane; also called alicyclic hydrocarbons

Examples

• Cycloalkanes are organic compounds with carbon atoms arranged in closed rings.
• Cyclohexane and cyclopentane are common examples of cycloalkanes.
• The properties of cycloalkanes differ from those of straight-chain alkanes due to ring strain.
• Cycloalkanes are found in petroleum and are used as solvents in industry.
• The stability of cycloalkanes depends on the size of the carbon ring.
• Six-membered cycloalkanes are generally more stable than smaller-ring cycloalkanes.