Question

Define catenation, saturated and unsaturated compound

Answer 1

Catenation is the property of an element to form long chains by forming bonds between its atoms.

When in an organic compound the valencies of all the atoms are satisfied by single bonds between them, such carbon compounds are called saturated compounds. e.g. Ethane (CH₃-CH₃ )

on the contrary compounds where there are atoms whose valencies are not satisfied by single bonds leading to formation of double or triple bonds are called unsaturated. e.g. CH₂=CH₂