C4H10=C×2×2+H×4×2+2.What is this known as and please explain it?

1 Answer
Feb 13, 2018

Well, butane is a #"so-called saturated hydrocarbon...."#

Explanation:

Butane is fully saturated. The given formula contains the MAXIMUM number of #C-H# bonds, and thus upon complete combustion, (to give carbon dioxide and water), the maximum amount of energy is involved. Chemists often invoke the degree of saturation for organic molecules, in order to rationalize the type of compound a given #C,H,N,O# formula specifies. And a fully saturated hydrocarbon has formula #C_nH_(2n+2)#. What is #n# for butane?