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VCE Stuff => VCE Science => VCE Mathematics/Science/Technology => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE Chemistry => Topic started by: shinny on June 07, 2008, 06:19:37 pm

Title: Saturated/unsaturated
Post by: shinny on June 07, 2008, 06:19:37 pm
Ive often seen saturated compounds defined as either ones which have the maximum number of hydrogen atoms bonded to the carbon chain, or ones which have no carbon-carbon double and triple bonds.

in the case of say...1-chloropropane, is this still classified as a saturated compound given that theres no double/triple bonds, or isnt it because there isnt technically the maximum number of hydrogens? i assume that it is still saturated, so does this technically make the definition about hydrogen atoms incorrect?
Title: Re: Saturated/unsaturated
Post by: chem-nerd on June 07, 2008, 06:24:52 pm
yes this would still be classed as saturated as saturation/unsaturation is related to the C-C bonds. The 'maximum number of H atoms' definiton comes about because we are often using it to define hydrocarbons.
Title: Re: Saturated/unsaturated
Post by: bec on June 08, 2008, 03:40:27 pm
so what about something like glycerol? it has no C to C double bonds, and yet it "doesn't contain a saturated hydrocarbon chain" according to neap. so would you say that it is saturated, but just not a hydrocarbon, since it contains oxygen?
Title: Re: Saturated/unsaturated
Post by: doboman on June 08, 2008, 03:57:48 pm
not a hydrocarbon