Which of the following is the general formula for saturated hydrocarbons?
- A.CₙH₂ₙ₊₂
- B.CₙH₂ₙ₋₂
- C.CₙH₂ₙ₊₁
- D.CₙH₂ₙ₋₁
Show answer
Saturated open-chain hydrocarbons are the alkanes, and every alkane fits the formula CₙH₂ₙ₊₂. In a saturated hydrocarbon every carbon atom is joined to others only by single bonds, so each carbon holds the largest possible number of hydrogen atoms.
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