Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Saturated hydrocarbons are organic compounds consisting entirely of single bonds between carbon atoms and are fully 'saturated' with hydrogen atoms. They are also known as alkanes.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Saturated hydrocarbons follow the general formula $C_nH_{2n+2}$.
They exhibit only single covalent bonds (sigma bonds) between carbon atoms.
Alkanes are nonpolar molecules and are relatively unreactive compared to other hydrocarbons.
The boiling points of alkanes increase with increasing molecular weight due to greater van der Waals forces.
Common examples include methane ($CH_4$), ethane ($C_2H_6$), and propane ($C_3H_8$).
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Related terms
Alkane: A type of saturated hydrocarbon consisting entirely of single bonds between carbon atoms.
Unsaturated Hydrocarbons: Hydrocarbons that contain one or more double or triple bonds between carbon atoms, such as alkenes and alkynes.
Isomerism: The phenomenon where two or more compounds have the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements.