Question

How would one describe the difference between saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons and what is the distinguishing feature of aromatic hydrocarbons?

Answer 1

Saturated hydrocarbons have only single carbon-carbon bonds and the maximum number of hydrogen atoms. Unsaturated hydrocarbons have double or triple bonds and a reduced number of hydrogen atoms. Aromatic hydrocarbons have a ring structure with alternating single and double bonds and a strong smell.

Step-by-step explanation:

Saturated hydrocarbons are organic compounds that contain only single carbon-carbon bonds. They are called saturated because they have the maximum amount of hydrogen atoms bonded to carbon. An example of a saturated hydrocarbon is propane (C3H8). On the other hand, unsaturated hydrocarbons contain at least one double or triple bond between carbon atoms. These bonds allow for a reduced number of hydrogen atoms. For example, ethene (C2H4) is an unsaturated hydrocarbon because it has a double bond between two carbon atoms.

Aromatic hydrocarbons, also known as arenes, are a special type of unsaturated hydrocarbon. They are characterized by having a ring of carbon atoms with alternating single and double bonds. The distinguishing feature of aromatic hydrocarbons is their strong, distinctive smell. An example of an aromatic hydrocarbon is benzene (C6H6).

Answer 2

Unlike saturated hydrocarbons in which all hydrogen atoms and carbon atoms are bonded together with single bonds, unsaturated hydrocarbons have double or even triple bonds between the carbon atoms. This makes unsaturated hydrocarbons even more reactive than saturated hydrocarbons, as well as have fewer hydrogen atoms bonded to the carbon atoms than saturated hydrocarbons have.