4. Degreeof unsaturation
Because of the presence of a double bond, alkenes have
two fewer hydrogens than the corresponding parent
hydrocarbon.
For example, ethene (H2C=CH2) has the molecular
formula C2H4 and ethane (CH3CH3) has the formula
C2H6 (following the 2n + 2 rule).
Cycloalkanes, likewise, have two fewer hydrogen's than
the parent hydrocarbon since two of the valences are
utilized to close the ring: cyclohexane is C6H12, while
hexane is C6H14.
5. Knowing this relationship, it is possible to take a molecular
formula and calculate the degree of unsaturation; that is, the
total numberof multiple bonds orrings in a molecule.
This information can then be utilized in the conversion of
analytical data intostructural possibilities.
For hydrocarbons, the process is simple:
take the parent hydrocarbon and calculate the number of
hydrogens using the 2n + 2 rule,
every two hydrogens that are "missing" in the analysis of the
unknown represents one degree of unsaturation (DU).