9.1 Saturated and Unsaturated Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons are organic compounds composed solely of carbon (C) and hydrogen (H). Carbon atoms attach to each other to form the backbone of the compound. Hydrogen atoms attach to the carbon atoms in a variety of ways. Hydrocarbons make up the major component of petroleum and natural gas (methane). They are raw materials for plastics, fibers, explosives, and many industrial chemicals.

9.1 Saturated and Unsaturated Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons are compounds containing carbon and hydrogen only. Hydrocarbons whose carbon- carbon bonds are all single bonds are called saturated. Saturated hydrocarbons are also called alkanes. In alkanes, each carbon atom is bonded to four other atoms. Methane is the simplest alkane. Other examples are ethane, propane, butane, etc. The general formula of alkanes is ${\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{H}}_{2\mathrm{n}+2}$$\mathrm{C_nH_{2n + 2}}$, where n is the number of carbon atoms.