Why are alkanes described as "saturated", and what are their main reactions?
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Answer
Alkanes are "saturated" because all carbon–carbon bonds are single bonds (each carbon forms 4 single covalent bonds, holding the maximum number of hydrogens).
Reactions:
- Combustion (burning in oxygen)
- Substitution reactions with halogens (e.g. chlorine) in the presence of ultraviolet (UV) light.