Saturated & Unsaturated Compounds (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Chemistry)

Revision Note

Alexandra Brennan

Written by: Alexandra Brennan

Reviewed by: Stewart Hird

Saturated & unsaturated Compounds

  • Saturated compounds have molecules in which all carbon-carbon bonds are single bonds 

  • Examples of compounds that are saturated are alkanes 

  • Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons with the general formula CnH2n+2

The structure of the first three alkanes

Alkanes contain only carbon-carbon single bonds so are saturated 

  • Unsaturated compounds consist of molecules in which one or more carbon-carbon bonds are not single bonds

  • They contain carbon-carbon double bonds (C=C)

  • Examples of compounds that are unsaturated are alkenes.

  • Alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons with the general formula is CnH2n

  • The presence of the double bond, C=C, means they can make more bonds with other atoms by opening up the C=C bond and allowing incoming atoms to form another single bond with each carbon atom of the functional group

  • Each of these carbon atoms now forms 4 single bonds instead of 1 double and 2 single bonds

The structure of the first three alkenes

Alkenes contain one carbon-carbon double bond so are unsaturated 

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Remember: Saturated compounds have Single bonds only. Unsaturated compounds have doUble bonds

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Alexandra Brennan

Author: Alexandra Brennan

Expertise: Chemistry

Alex studied Biochemistry at Newcastle University before embarking upon a career in teaching. With nearly 10 years of teaching experience, Alex has had several roles including Chemistry/Science Teacher, Head of Science and Examiner for AQA and Edexcel. Alex’s passion for creating engaging content that enables students to succeed in exams drove her to pursue a career outside of the classroom at SME.

Stewart Hird

Author: Stewart Hird

Expertise: Chemistry Lead

Stewart has been an enthusiastic GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and IB teacher for more than 30 years in the UK as well as overseas, and has also been an examiner for IB and A Level. As a long-standing Head of Science, Stewart brings a wealth of experience to creating Topic Questions and revision materials for Save My Exams. Stewart specialises in Chemistry, but has also taught Physics and Environmental Systems and Societies.