Saturated vs Unsaturated Hydrocarbons Hydrocarbons are a class of organic molecules composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms. They can be saturated or unsatura...
Saturated vs Unsaturated Hydrocarbons
Hydrocarbons are a class of organic molecules composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms. They can be saturated or unsaturated. Saturated hydrocarbons are molecules in which all carbon atoms are bonded to at least one hydrogen atom. Unsaturated hydrocarbons are molecules in which some carbon atoms are bonded to more than one hydrogen atom.
Saturated Hydrocarbons
All carbon atoms are bonded to at least one hydrogen atom.
Molecules are symmetrical and non-polar.
Examples: Methane (CH₄), Ethane (C₂H12), and Butane (C4H10).
Unsaturated Hydrocarbons
Some carbon atoms are bonded to more than one hydrogen atom.
Molecules are asymmetrical and polar.
Examples: Ethene (C₂H4), Propene (C3H6), and Butene (C4H8).
Properties of Saturated vs Unsaturated Hydrocarbon Molecules
| Property | Saturated Hydrocarbon | Unsaturated Hydrocarbon |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen atoms | All carbon atoms | Some carbon atoms are bonded to more than one hydrogen atom |
| Symmetry | Symmetric | Asymmetric |
| Polarity | Non-polar | Polar |
| Examples | Methane, Ethane, Butane | Ethene, Propene, Butene |