Saturated Hydrocarbons
What is Saturated Hydrocarbons?
Saturated hydrocarbons are organic compounds composed only of carbon and hydrogen atoms connected exclusively by single carbon-carbon bonds (no double or triple bonds), with each carbon atom bonded to the maximum number of hydrogen atoms possible. The simplest family of saturated hydrocarbons is the alkanes (general formula CₙH₂ₙ₊₂ for acyclic compounds), including methane, ethane, propane, and butane. They are relatively unreactive compared to unsaturated hydrocarbons and undergo primarily substitution reactions such as halogenation under UV light.
Key Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Saturated hydrocarbons are organic compounds composed only of carbon and hydrogen atoms connected exclusively by single carbon-carbon bonds (no double or triple bonds), with each carbon atom bonded to the maximum number of hydrogen atoms possible. The simplest family of saturated hydrocarbons is the alkanes (general formula CₙH₂ₙ₊₂ for acyclic compounds), including methane, ethane, propane, and butane. They are relatively unreactive compared to unsaturated hydrocarbons and undergo primarily substitution reactions such as halogenation under UV light.