Hydrocarbons - Saturated and Unsaturated

Hydrocarbons - Saturated and Unsaturated

What are Hydrocarbons?

A compound made up of Hydrogen and Carbon only is called Hydrocarbon.

Hydrogen + Carbon =  Hydrocarbon

Examples of Hydrocarbons:

Different Types of Hydrocarbons:

They are of 2 Types:

1. Saturated hydrocarbons (Alkanes):

• Those hydrocarbons in which carbon atoms are connected by only single bonds are called Saturated Hydrocarbons.
• They are also called alkanes.

Example: Methane, Ethane, Propane etc.

2. Unsaturated Hydrocarbons(Alkenes/Alkynes):

Those hydrocarbons in which carbon atoms are connected by double or triple bonds are called unsaturated hydrocarbons.

• Compounds having doubly bonded carbon atoms are called Alkenes .
  Example: Ethene, Propene
• Compounds having triple bonds between 2 carbon atoms are called Alkynes.
  Example: Ethyne, Propylene

Lets learn about Alkanes, Alkenes and Alkynes one by one: