unsaturated

views updated May 29 2018

un·sat·u·rat·ed / ˌənˈsachəˌrātid/ • adj. Chem. (of organic molecules) having carbon–carbon double or triple bonds and therefore not containing the greatest possible number of hydrogen atoms for the number of carbons.DERIVATIVES: un·sat·u·ra·tion / -ˌsachəˈrāshən/ n.

unsaturated

views updated Jun 08 2018

unsaturated Denoting a compound having double or triple bonds in its molecules. Unsaturated compounds can undergo addition reactions as well as substitution. See fatty acid. Compare saturated.