11.1.5

Saturated & Unsaturated Organic Compounds

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Saturated and Unsaturated Organic Compounds

Saturated compounds have only single C-C bonds while unsaturated compounds have C=C or C≡C bonds. This difference impacts hydrogen count and reactivity.

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What are saturated compounds?

  • Saturated compounds are organic molecules.
    • They contain only single carbon-carbon (C–C) bonds.
    • All carbon atoms form single bonds with other carbons or atoms.
  • Saturated compounds have the maximum number of hydrogen atoms.
    • Alkanes are examples of saturated compounds.
Illustrative background for What are unsaturated compounds?Illustrative background for What are unsaturated compounds? ?? "content

What are unsaturated compounds?

  • Unsaturated compounds are organic molecules.
    • They contain one or more carbon-carbon double (C=C) or triple (C≡C) bonds.
  • The presence of double or triple bonds reduces the number of hydrogen atoms.
    • Alkenes are examples of unsaturated compounds.
Illustrative background for Importance of saturation in chemistryIllustrative background for Importance of saturation in chemistry ?? "content

Importance of saturation in chemistry

  • Saturated compounds are less reactive due to single bonds.
  • Unsaturated compounds are more reactive because of double/triple bonds.
    • The double/triple bonds allow addition reactions.
  • Chemists use saturation to predict chemical behaviour.
Illustrative background for Functional groups and terminologyIllustrative background for Functional groups and terminology ?? "content

Functional groups and terminology

  • Saturated compounds usually belong to the alkane family (-ane suffix).
  • Unsaturated alkenes use the suffix -ene (double bond).
    • Functional groups determine chemical properties.

Jump to other topics

1States of Matter

2Atoms, Elements & Compounds

3Stoichometry

4Electrochemistry

5Chemical Energetics

6Chemical Reactions

7Acids, Bases & Salts

8The Periodic Table

9Metals

10Chemistry of the Environment

11Organic Chemistry

11.1Formulae, Functional Groups & Terminology

11.2Naming Organic Compounds

11.3Fuels

11.4Alkanes

11.5Alkenes

11.6Alcohols

11.7Carboxylic Acids

11.8Polymers

12Experimental Techniques & Chemical Analysis

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