Why are alkenes and alkynes called unsaturated compounds?

Answer 1

Alkenes and alkynes are called unsaturated compounds because the carbon atoms that they contain are bonded to fewer hydrogen atoms than they can possibly hold.

Because the carbon atoms in alkenes and alkynes do not contain as many hydrogen atoms as they could, these compounds are referred to as unsaturated.

In a saturated compound, all of the carbon atoms' other bonding orbitals are occupied by hydrogen atoms, forming a chain of carbon atoms connected by single bonds.

Butane, or CH3-CH2-CH3-CH3, is one example.

Because each carbon can hold as many hydrogen atoms as possible, it is saturated.

Because the middle carbons in alkenes like but-2-ene (CH₃-CH=CH-CH₃) and alkynes like but-2-yne (CH₃-C≡C-CH₃) have fewer hydrogen atoms than they could possibly have, they are unsaturated.

Sign up to view the whole answer

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Sign up with email
Answer 2

Alkenes and alkynes are called unsaturated compounds because they contain carbon-carbon double or triple bonds, respectively, which can undergo additional reactions to add more atoms. This means they have fewer hydrogen atoms compared to saturated hydrocarbons, which have only single bonds between carbon atoms and are saturated with hydrogen atoms.

Sign up to view the whole answer

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Sign up with email
Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

Not the question you need?

Drag image here or click to upload

Or press Ctrl + V to paste
Answer Background
HIX Tutor
Solve ANY homework problem with a smart AI
  • 98% accuracy study help
  • Covers math, physics, chemistry, biology, and more
  • Step-by-step, in-depth guides
  • Readily available 24/7