How do alkanes, alkenes and alkynes differ?

1 Answer
anor277
Jul 23, 2016

By their degree of unsaturation.

Explanation:

Alkanes are saturated; they contain the maximum number of (energy rich) C-H bonds. An alkane has general formula C_nH_(2n+2). Each 2 hydrogens LESS than this formula corresponds to a double bond OR a ring junction.

Thus if we consider hexanes, C_6H_14, we would consider it to be saturated. Why?

On the other hand isomeric hexene, and cyclohexane have a formula of C_6H_12; 1 degree of unsaturation, as we could predict from the formula. How many degrees of unsaturation does acetylene, HC-=CH, have?

Related questions
See all questions in Introduction to Reactions and Mechanisms
Impact of this question
1596 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License