Question

Why are carbon compounds with double or triple bonds called unsaturated?

Answer 1

Dear student

Alkenes and alkynes are called unsaturated compounds because the carbon atoms that they contain are bonded to fewer hydrogen atoms than they can possibly hold.
In these molecules, since all the bonds of carbon are not fully utilised by hydrogen atoms, more of these can be attached to them. Thus, they undergo addition reactions (add on hydrogen) as they have two or more hydrogen atoms less than the saturated hydrocarbons (alkanes). Unsaturated hydrocarbons can be divided into 'alkenes' and 'alkynes' depending on the presence of double or triple bonds respectively.

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