Unsaturated Hydrocarbons: Properties, Examples, and Applications

Unsaturated hydrocarbons

(a) Contains double or triple covalent(b) E.g.: Alkenes, Alkynes, & more

Unsaturated hydrocarbons are organic molecules that contain at least one double or triple bond between two carbon atoms. These bonds are unsaturated as they lack the full complement of hydrogen atoms that would be found in saturated hydrocarbons. Unsaturated hydrocarbons are often more reactive than saturated hydrocarbons as the double or triple bond can be broken to form other compounds.

Some examples of unsaturated hydrocarbons include:

1. Alkenes: Alkenes are hydrocarbons that contain at least one carbon-carbon double bond. They are usually more reactive than alkanes due to the presence of the carbon-carbon double bond, which can undergo addition reactions with other molecules.

2. Alkynes: Alkynes are hydrocarbons that contain at least one carbon-carbon triple bond. They are usually even more reactive than alkenes due to the presence of the carbon-carbon triple bond, which can undergo addition reactions with other molecules.

3. Aromatic hydrocarbons: Aromatic hydrocarbons are hydrocarbons that contain a cyclic ring structure with alternating double bonds. Benzene is a common example of an aromatic hydrocarbon.

Unsaturated hydrocarbons have a wide range of applications, including as building blocks for the production of plastics, solvents, and fuels. However, their reactivity can also make them potential environmental pollutants if they are not handled carefully and disposed of properly.

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