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Saturated Hydrocarbon

A saturated hydrocarbon is a hydrocarbon in which all the carbon-carbon bonds are single bonds.

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Student-friendly 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.

How to write this in exams

  1. 1

    Start with the exact idea

    A saturated hydrocarbon is a hydrocarbon in which all the carbon-carbon bonds are single bonds.

  2. 2

    Then show how to use it

    1. Inspect the carbon-carbon bonds. 2. Check whether any double or triple bond is present. 3. If only single bonds are present, classify it as saturated. 4. If needed, compare with the general formula.

  3. 3

    Add one concrete example

    Propane, C3H8, is a saturated hydrocarbon because it has only single carbon-carbon bonds.

  4. 4

    Avoid this incomplete answer

    A common wrong answer is to call C3H6 saturated because it has many hydrogens. That is wrong because bond type matters more than just the hydrogen count.

Definition

A saturated hydrocarbon is a hydrocarbon in which all the carbon-carbon bonds are single bonds.

Example

Propane, C3H8, is a saturated hydrocarbon because it has only single carbon-carbon bonds.

Rule to remember

For open-chain saturated hydrocarbons, the general formula is CnH2n+2. The key condition is the presence of only single C-C bonds.

Memory hook

Only single bonds means saturated.

Examples and method

Worked example

C4H10 has four carbon atoms and ten hydrogen atoms. Its carbon atoms are connected by single bonds only, so it is a saturated hydrocarbon such as butane.

Method to apply

1. Inspect the carbon-carbon bonds. 2. Check whether any double or triple bond is present. 3. If only single bonds are present, classify it as saturated. 4. If needed, compare with the general formula.

Diagram support

Draw propane or butane with only single bonds between the carbon atoms.

How CBSE asks it

Questions may ask you to identify a compound from its formula, from its structure, or from its reaction with bromine water.

Avoid common mistakes

Common confusion

Students sometimes look only at the number of hydrogen atoms and ignore the bond type between carbon atoms.

Common wrong answer

A common wrong answer is to call C3H6 saturated because it has many hydrogens. That is wrong because bond type matters more than just the hydrogen count.

Exam tip

If a hydrocarbon has only single C-C bonds, it is saturated even before you check its family name.

Quick check

How can you identify a saturated hydrocarbon from its carbon skeleton?

A saturated hydrocarbon has only single carbon-carbon bonds. If no double or triple bond is present, the compound is saturated.

Answer writing and exam use

1-mark answer

A saturated hydrocarbon is a hydrocarbon in which all the carbon-carbon bonds are single bonds.

2-mark answer

A saturated hydrocarbon is a hydrocarbon in which all the carbon-carbon bonds are single bonds. For open-chain saturated hydrocarbons, the general formula is CnH2n+2. The key condition is the presence of only single C-C bonds. Propane, C3H8, is a saturated hydrocarbon because it has only single carbon-carbon bonds.

3-mark answer

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. For open-chain saturated hydrocarbons, the general formula is CnH2n+2. The key condition is the presence of only single C-C bonds. C4H10 has four carbon atoms and ten hydrogen atoms. Its carbon atoms are connected by single bonds only, so it is a saturated hydrocarbon such as butane. Questions may ask you to identify a compound from its formula, from its structure, or from its reaction with bromine water. A common wrong answer is to call C3H6 saturated because it has many hydrogens. That is wrong because bond type matters more than just the hydrogen count.
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