Naphthenes


Naphthenes

 

alicyclic alkanes primarily found in petroleum (hence their name, which was first introduced in organic chemistry in 1883 by V. V. Markovnikov and V. N. Ogloblin). The most important naphthenes are cyclopentane and cyclohexane and their alkyl derivatives. Hydrocarbons containing several five- and six-member rings (including condensed forms such as Decalin) are also classified as naphthenes. However, some authors incorrectly expand the class to cover all cycloalkanes (cyclanes).