What is a key difference between saturated and unsaturated carbon bonds?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the key difference between saturated and unsaturated carbon bonds, which pertains to the types of chemical bonds that carbon atoms can form with other atoms, specifically the presence of double or single bonds.
Answer
Saturated compounds have single bonds; unsaturated have at least one double or triple bond.
The key difference between saturated and unsaturated carbon bonds is that saturated compounds contain only single covalent bonds between carbon atoms, whereas unsaturated compounds have at least one double or triple carbon-carbon bond.
Answer for screen readers
The key difference between saturated and unsaturated carbon bonds is that saturated compounds contain only single covalent bonds between carbon atoms, whereas unsaturated compounds have at least one double or triple carbon-carbon bond.
More Information
Saturated compounds, such as alkanes, have maximum hydrogen atoms bonded to carbon, making them generally less reactive. Unsaturated compounds include alkenes and alkynes, more reactive due to the presence of double or triple bonds, which can participate in reactions like hydrogenation.
Tips
A common mistake is confusing the physical state differences (solid vs liquid fats) with bond types. Focus on bonds for chemistry distinction.
Sources
- Saturated And Unsaturated Compounds | JEE Main - Unacademy - unacademy.com
- Saturated and unsaturated compounds - Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org
