Saturated and Unsaturated Carbon Compounds

SATURATED AND UNSATURATED CARBON COMPOUNDS:-

Saturated Carbon Compounds

These are the compounds in which various carbon atoms in a chain or a ring are linked together by single bonds only. Alkanes are the most common examples of saturated chain carbon compounds. Ethane is a member of the alkane family whose structure is drawn below:

Ethane C2H6

The valencies of all the atoms are satisfied by single bonds between them. Such carbon compounds are called saturated compounds. These compounds are normally not very reactive.

Unsaturated Carbon Compounds

These are the compounds in which various carbon atoms in a chain or a ring are linked together by double or triple bonds. Alkenes (where carbon atoms are linked through double bonds) and alkynes (where carbon atoms are linked through triple bonds) are the most common examples of unsaturated chain carbon compounds. Ethene is a member of the alkene family whose structure is drawn below:

Another compound of carbon and hydrogen has the formula C2H4 and is called Ethene.

We see that one valency per carbon atom remains unsatisfied

This can be satisfied only if there is a double bond between the two carbons.

Another compound of hydrogen and carbon has the formula

C2H2 and is called Ethyne

We see that 2 valency per carbon atom remains unsatisfied

This can be satisfied only if there is a Triple bond between the two carbons.

Such compounds of carbon having double or triple bonds between the carbon atoms are known as unsaturated carbon compounds and they are more reactive than the saturated carbon compounds.