What is the #"degree of unsaturation"# with respect to organic molecules?

1 Answer
anor277
Jul 20, 2017

What are you asking?

Explanation:

Alkanes have a general formula of #C_nH_(2n+2)#. These are saturated molecules. An olefin, an alkene, has ONE so-called degree of unsaturation. If there is an olefinic bond, OR a ring junction, the formula drops from #C_nH_(2n+2)# to #C_nH_(2n)#, i.e 2 hydrogen LESS than the saturated formula.

Try this out for butane, butane, cyclobutane etc. Does it work?

Related questions
See all questions in Naming Alkanes, Alkenes, and Alkynes
Impact of this question
1658 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License