Hydrocarbons are compounds consisting only of carbon and hydrogen atoms. They are classified into saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons based on their saturation levels. Saturated hydrocarbons are called alkanes, while unsaturated hydrocarbons with one or more double bonds are called alkenes, and those with one or more triple bonds are called alkynes.
Share
Hydrocarbons are organic compounds consisting solely of hydrogen and carbon atoms. They are classified based on their saturation levels into two main groups: saturated hydrocarbons and unsaturated hydrocarbons. Saturated hydrocarbons, also known as alkanes, have only single bonds between carbon atoms, and they are fully saturated with hydrogen. Unsaturated hydrocarbons have one or more carbon-carbon double or triple bonds, leading to a degree of unsaturation. Alkenes have at least one double bond, while alkynes have at least one triple bond. The classification is crucial in understanding the reactivity and properties of hydrocarbons in organic chemistry.