Why are unsaturated hydrocarbons more reactive?

Unsaturated hydrocarbons are more reactive when compared to saturated hydrocarbons as in the unsaturated compounds we have double bonds(pi bonds) which are weak and can be easily cleaved by incoming group therefore increasing the reactivity. In sa... read more

Unsaturated hydrocarbons are more reactive when compared to saturated hydrocarbons as in the unsaturated compounds we have double bonds(pi bonds) which are weak and can be easily cleaved by incoming group therefore increasing the reactivity. In saturated hydrocarbons only sigma bonds are present,these bonds are very strong and stable. read more

unsaturated hydrocarbons contain multiple bonds which involve the ovelapping of pi-orbitals.since the electons in the pi-orbitals lie sbove the axis between two bonded atoms,so they are more exposed to the atteck of electrophiles(electron lovers).thats why they are very reactive. read more

Saturated hydrocarbons have single bonds only while unsaturated hydrocarbons have double and triple bonds. These bonds have porbitals that stick up and the electrons are often delocalized. This means it is easier to exchange and share electrons, which after all, is what chemistry is about. Hence the unsaturated HCs are more reactive. read more