Question

Which of the unsaturated and saturated Carbon compounds are more reactive?

Answer 1

Part 1: Unsaturated Compounds-
1. Compounds that contain double and triple bonds between any two adjacent Carbon atoms are called Unsaturated Carbon Compounds.
Ex: Ethene ( ${\mathbf{H}}_{\mathbf{2}}\mathbf{C}\mathbf{=}{\mathbf{CH}}_{\mathbf{2}}$) and Ethyne, ($\mathbf{H}\mathbf{-}\mathbf{C}\mathbf{\equiv }\mathbf{C}\mathbf{-}\mathbf{H}$)

2. These double bonds and triple bonds are very weak.
3. It can be broken down easily.
4. Due to this it can take part in reactions to form a different compound more easily and are more reactive.
Part 2: Saturated Compounds-
1. The Compound which contains only a single bond between all the Carbon atoms present in its molecule is called Saturated Carbon Compounds.

Ex - $$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{H}\mathrm{H} \\ \mathrm{H}-\underset{\mathrm{l}}{\overset{\mathrm{l}}{\mathrm{C}}}-\underset{\mathrm{l}}{\overset{\mathrm{l}}{C}}-\mathrm{H} \\ \mathrm{H}\mathrm{H} \end{gathered}$$

2. This single bond is very strong.
3. It is hard to break this bond.
4. Due to this it take part in very few reactions.
Due to the above differences, it is concluded that an unsaturated compound is more reactive than a saturated one.