Unsaturated hydrocarbon

Unsaturated hydrocarbon is the name of a type of organic molecule in organic chemistry, that contains a chain of carbons. "Unsaturated" refers to the fact that each of the carbons bonds aren't with 4 separate molecules, but can, instead have double or triple bonds.

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There are three types of unsaturated hydrocarbons:

• alkenes
• alkynes
• dienes (plus polyenes and poly-ynes)

The physical properties of unsaturated hydrocarbons are very similar to those of the corresponding saturated compounds. They are very slightly soluble in water.

Except for aromatic compounds, unsaturated hydrocarbons are highly reactive and undergo addition reactions to their multiple bonds. Typical reagents added are hydrogen halides, water, sulfuric acid, elemental halogens and alcohols.

See also

• saturated hydrocarbon