Alkenes and Alkynes

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Saturated Hydrocarbon Noun

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[sach-uh-rey-tid hahy-droh-kahr-buhn]

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Saturated Hydrocarbon

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A hydrocarbon compound containing only single covalent bonds between its carbon atoms, thus holding the maximum number of hydrogen atoms.

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Example: This diagram shows the molecule ethane, a saturated hydrocarbon. All carbon atoms are joined by single bonds, and each carbon is bonded to the maximum number of hydrogen atoms.

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Unsaturated Hydrocarbon Noun

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[uhn-sach-uh-rey-tid hahy-droh-kahr-buhn]

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Unsaturated Hydrocarbon

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A hydrocarbon that contains at least one double or triple covalent bond between its carbon atoms.

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Example: This diagram shows an ethylene molecule, an unsaturated hydrocarbon, which contains a double bond between its two carbon atoms.

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Alkene Noun

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[al-keen]

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Alkene

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An unsaturated hydrocarbon characterized by the presence of at least one carbon-carbon double covalent bond in its structure.

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Example: This diagram shows ethylene, the simplest alkene, highlighting the double bond (C=C) between two carbon atoms, which is the defining feature of all alkenes.

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Ethene Noun

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[eth-een]

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Ethene

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The simplest alkene, with the chemical formula C2H4, consisting of two carbon atoms joined by a double bond.

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Example: This diagram shows the structure of an ethene molecule, which has two carbon atoms joined by a double bond and four hydrogen atoms.

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Alkyne Noun

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[al-kahyn]

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Alkyne

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An unsaturated hydrocarbon characterized by the presence of at least one carbon-carbon triple covalent bond in its structure.

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Example: This image shows a model of acetylene, the simplest alkyne. It highlights the key feature of an alkyne: a triple bond between two carbon atoms.

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Ethyne Noun

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[eth-ahyn]

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Ethyne

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The simplest alkyne, with the chemical formula C2H2, consisting of two carbon atoms joined by a triple bond.

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Example: This diagram shows the Lewis structure of ethyne (C₂H₂), an alkyne, highlighting the triple bond between its two carbon atoms.

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Homologous Series Noun

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[hoh-mol-uh-guhs seer-eez]

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Homologous Series

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A sequence of compounds with the same functional group and similar chemical properties, differing by a constant structural unit.

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Example: This image displays the homologous series of alkynes, showing how each successive molecule (like Propyne, Butyne) is built by adding a CH₂ group.

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Parent Chain Noun

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[pair-uhnt cheyn]

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Parent Chain

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The longest continuous chain of carbon atoms in an organic molecule that contains the principal functional group.

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Example: This diagram shows a hydrocarbon molecule and highlights the longest continuous chain of carbon atoms, which is called the parent chain.

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Polyene Noun

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[pol-ee-een]

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Polyene

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An organic compound containing multiple carbon-carbon double bonds, often alternating with single bonds in a conjugated system.

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Example: This image shows the chemical structures of several molecules, like β-Carotene. These are all examples of polyenes, which are long carbon chains containing multiple double bonds.