Saturated carbon compounds are normally _________________.

The correct answer is less reactive than unsaturated compounds.

Key Points:

• Due to the strong carbon-carbon single bonds, saturated carbon compounds are often not very reactive.
• Alkanes are single-bond C-C saturated carbon compounds.
• A general inertness to various chemical reagents is one of the characteristics of alkanes as a class.
• Strong connections between C and H can be found.
• Unless alkanes are heated to extremely high temperatures, they do not break.
• The bonds between carbon and hydrogen are only marginally polarised because carbon and hydrogen have approximately identical electronegativities.
• They are hence typically unaffected by the majority of bases.
• Alkanes have covalent bonds, which make it difficult for them to break and react. 

Additional Information:

• Alkane molecules lack any unshared electrons that an acid could use as a site of attack.
• Alkanes were previously referred to as paraffins because of their poor reactivity toward various chemicals.
• We all know that when the right mixture is burned, alkanes react violently with oxygen.
• For instance, this combustion happens in the cylinders of cars and in oil furnaces.
• Alkanes react violently with fluorine and violently with bromine and chlorine when heated.