Saturated and Unsaturated Carbon Compounds

A saturated carbon compound is a carbon compound that has a chain

of carbon atoms linked together by single bonds. Saturated carbon
compound contains the maximum possible number of hydrogen atoms.
Saturated compounds are generally more stable and less reactive than
unsaturated compounds. Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons.

H H H H
C C C C H C C H
H H
H H H H
Ethane, C2H6 Ethene, C2H4 Ethyne, C2H2

An unsaturated compound is a chemical compound that contains

carbon-carbon double bonds or triple bonds, such as those found
in alkenes or alkynes, respectively. Unsaturated molecules have fewer
hydrogens because they have double or triple bonds. Unsaturated
compounds are generally more reactive than saturated compounds.