Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Hydrocarbons are organic compounds composed solely of hydrogen and carbon atoms. They can be found in various forms, including straight chains, branched structures, and rings.
Related terms
Alkanes: Hydrocarbons consisting only of single covalent bonds between carbon atoms.
Isomers: Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements.
Aromatic compounds: Special type of hydrocarbons containing a ring structure with alternating single and double bonds.