Has double or triple bonds - have fewer hydrogen atoms?

• A. Unsaturated Hydrocarbon
• B. Saturated Hydrocarbon
• C. Hydrocarbon
• D. Organic Compound

Answer: (A)

Double or triple bonds create fewer opportunities for hydrogen attachment, so the molecule is unsaturated. In hydrocarbons, carbon’s four bonds are usually filled with hydrogens, but when some bonds between carbons are double or triple, fewer hydrogens can be attached. This means compounds with such multiple bonds have fewer hydrogen atoms than the corresponding saturated alkane. For example, ethane has six hydrogens and only single bonds, while ethene has four hydrogens due to the carbon–carbon double bond. The term that fits this description is an unsaturated hydrocarbon. A saturated hydrocarbon has only single bonds and the maximum possible number of hydrogens for its carbon skeleton. Hydrocarbon is any compound made of carbon and hydrogen, and organic compound is a broad category that includes many other types as well.