ENGLISH
REFERENCE

unsaturated

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ənˈsætʃɝˌeɪtɪd// UK //ʌnsˈætʃəɹˌeɪtɪd// un·sat·u·rat·ed

adj. describing a chemical compound that has double or triple bonds between its atoms. These bonds make the molecule more reactive than a similar one with only single bonds.

adj. describing a chemical compound that contains at least one double or triple bond between carbon atoms. Often used in organic chemistry to distinguish from saturated compounds, which have only single bonds.


SIMPLE

Olive oil contains many unsaturated fats.

CONTEXTUAL

The chemist tested the sample to determine if the hydrocarbon was unsaturated, which would indicate the presence of double bonds.

COMPLEX

In industrial catalysis, unsaturated hydrocarbons are often preferred because their multiple bonds provide more reactive sites for the formation of complex polymers and plastics.

Antonyms
Origin

From un- + saturated.

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