Saturated Hydrocarbon
A saturated hydrocarbon is a hydrocarbon in which all the carbon-carbon bonds are single bonds.
Practice This ConceptMain explanation
Teacher explanation
Saturated hydrocarbons are called alkanes in the open-chain series. Because they contain only single bonds between carbon atoms, they are less reactive than unsaturated hydrocarbons in many simple addition reactions. This is why they are often used as fuels.
Example
Propane, C3H8, is a saturated hydrocarbon because it has only single carbon-carbon bonds.
Simple analogy
Only single bonds means saturated.
Common confusion
Students sometimes look only at the number of hydrogen atoms and ignore the bond type between carbon atoms.
Exam tip
If a hydrocarbon has only single C-C bonds, it is saturated even before you check its family name.
Answer writing and exam use
1-mark use
Write the exact meaning of saturated hydrocarbon in one clean line.
2-mark use
Define saturated hydrocarbon and add one example or condition.
3-mark use
Explain saturated hydrocarbon, show the method or example, and mention the common mistake.
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