What types of reactions are typical for alkanes?

Alkanes react only very weakly with ionic or other polar substances. The pKa values ​​of all alkanes are higher than 50 and therefore they are practically inert with respect to acids and bases. This inertness is the origin of the term paraffins. In crude oil, the alkane molecules have remained chemically unchanged for millions of years.

However, redox reactions of alkanes, in particular with oxygen and halogens, are possible because carbon atoms are in a strongly reduced state; in the case of methane, the lowest possible oxidation state for carbon (-4) is achieved. Reaction with oxygen results in combustion without any smoke; with halogens – replacement. In addition, alkanes interact with and bind to certain transition metal complexes.