* ALkanes contain C-C and C-H sigma bonds which have a high bond enthalpy so are difficult to break. The bonds are also non-polar so they don’t attract nucleophiles or electrophiles. This means alkanes don’t react easily.
* Alkenes are more reactive because the C=C bond contains both a sigma and pi bond. The double bond also contains four electrons so it has a high electron density. The pi bond also has a low bond enthalpy.