Question

why were alkanes earlier called as paraffins

Answer 1

Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbon compounds which contains carbon-carbon single covalent bonds.

All the bonds of carbon are satisified .

Thus there is no lone pair of electrons.

Hence they are also called saturated compounds.

The absence of lone pair of electrons inhibits their ability to chemical reactions.

As they do not have excess or deficit of electrons they neither gain nor lose .

Hence they are inert in nature .

Thus they are also called paraffins .

Para means less and affinis means affinity.

As they have less affinity for any compound , they are termed as paraffins.