HYDROCARBONS

hydrocarbons

compounds that are composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms only; simplest class of organic compounds

alkanes

_____ contain only single covalent bonds; they are saturated; commonly used as fuels and solvents

saturated

a compound is _____ if each carbon is attached to four other atoms

CnH2n+2

formula for alkanes

alkenes

_____ are hydrocarbons that contain at least one double bond between two carbon atoms; they are unsaturated compounds; ingredients for the production of rubber and plastics

unsaturated

a compound is _____ if at least one of their carbon atoms is attached to fewer than four other atoms

CnH2n

formula for alkenes

alkynes

____ are unsaturated hydrocarbons that contain at least one triple covalent bond between two carbon atoms; the combustion of ethyne produces the light and intense heat observed during welding

CnH2n-2

formula for alkynes

cycloalkanes

alkanes in which the carbon atoms are arranged in a ring structure; represented as polygons where each corner corresponds to a carbon atom