1) Homologous series - they are analogous to functional groups, ie what characterises a particular organic compound family
2) saturated - single bonds between C-C
3) unsaturated - opposite of saturated, more than a single bond between C-C, ie double in alkenes, triple in alkynes
NB, you mention C-C because all C-H has to be single bonds due to H only having one electron to share in covalent bond
Thanks for your reply.
But, what is exactly meant by "saturated"? What made alkanes "saturated" and alkenes "unsaturated". The numbering of bonds is clear in both cases, but the case of "saturation" is not.
What do you mean by ...successive member differing by CH2.
And, can you just explain "saturation" in a bit more detail?
By that I mean that the chain is increased by one carbon atom attached to two hydrogen atoms each time. E.g. butane differs from propane by CH2, and hexene differs from pentene by CH2.
Saturation is defined as: soaked, impregnated, or imbued thoroughly; charged thoroughly or completely; brought to a state of saturation.
So if you think about it, if each carbon atom has four bonds to other atoms, it has reached the maximum number of atoms it can have attached to it (as carbon has four electrons on its outer shell). This means it is saturated.
However, if there is a double bond then it may only be attached to three atoms therefore it is not fully saturated as more atoms can still be added to the atom before it reaches its maximum.
By that I mean that the chain is increased by one carbon atom attached to two hydrogen atoms each time. E.g. butane differs from propane by CH2, and hexene differs from pentene by CH2.
Saturation is defined as: soaked, impregnated, or imbued thoroughly; charged thoroughly or completely; brought to a state of saturation.
So if you think about it, if each carbon atom has four bonds to other atoms, it has reached the maximum number of atoms it can have attached to it (as carbon has four electrons on its outer shell). This means it is saturated.
However, if there is a double bond then it may only be attached to three atoms therefore it is not fully saturated as more atoms can still be added to the atom before it reaches its maximum.
Thanks again so much.
Just a small thing. Can you just give me an example of how alkanes are saturated and alkenes are unsaturated? Just to understand it better.
Just a small thing. Can you just give me an example of how alkanes are saturated and alkenes are unsaturated? Just to understand it better.
saturated - single C-C bonds, difficult to functionalise, ie can't do electrophilic addition of HBr
unsaturated - multiple bonds between C-C, easy functionalisation, ie can do electrophilic addition, that is can still add across the multiple bonds till the C-C gets saturated
saturated - single C-C bonds, difficult to functionalise, ie can't do electrophilic addition of HBr
unsaturated - multiple bonds between C-C, easy functionalisation, ie can do electrophilic addition, that is can still add across the multiple bonds till the C-C gets saturated
hope that example clarifies the idea
Is tere a simpler example that shows how is this shown in the alkanes and alkenes organic compounds (i.e; methane, methene)?
Is tere a simpler example that shows how is this shown in the alkanes and alkenes organic compounds (i.e; methane, methene)?
you cannot get "methene", as that would violate that C-H must be single bonds. simplest alkene is ethene, 2 carbons where you can have double bonds between C-C
you cannot get "methene", as that would violate that C-H must be single bonds. simplest alkene is ethene, 2 carbons where you can have double bonds between C-C
are you sure you understand bonding?
Yes, I understand bonding, but seems I mentioned "methene" without paying attention to the existence of at least two carbons where the double bonds will be between.
Yes, I understand bonding, but seems I mentioned "methene" without paying attention to the existence of at least two carbons where the double bonds will be between.
there is something called methylene, though (:CH2) but it's a diradical and you really don't want to worry about that!