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why are alkanes called parrafins?

Paraffins is a Latin word meaning (parum = little + affinis = reactivity). Alkanes are called paraffins because they have a little affinity  towards a general reagent. In other words, alkanes are inert substances. They undergo reactions under drastic conditions.

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becoz,  in latin purum=little & affins=affinity means least active

alkanes are least reactive so they called as paraffins

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becoz, in latin 

purum=little& affins=affinity

alkanes are least active so they also called paraffins

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 Paraffins: 

  • Another name of alkanes.
  • Paraffin is made of two words. Parum - little and affins - affinity.
  • Thus paraffins virtually means something which is less reactive. 
  • At the same time, Alkanes contain strong single covalent bonds between them and hence are chemically inert under normal conditions. This is the reason why Alkanes are called paraffins.
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