Saturated & Unsaturated Organic Compounds
Chemistry: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 11.1.5
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Test yourself on Saturated & Unsaturated Organic Compounds
What is a key characteristic of unsaturated compounds regarding their bonding?