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Glite Dictionary
🎨 Less vivid color 🧪 Double bonds
unsaturation

unsaturation

7.1
Double or triple bonds between atoms in a chemical that mean it does not have all hydrogen atoms
  • noun
  • /ˌʌnˈsætʃəˌreɪʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : insaturación
  • Chemists analyze the degree of unsaturation to determine the structure of organic compounds.

Examples

  • The unsaturation of fatty acids affects their melting point and nutritional properties.

  • The unsaturation in the fatty acids affects their properties.

  • Oils with higher unsaturation are generally considered healthier for cooking.

  • High levels of unsaturation can lead to increased reactivity.

  • The unsaturation in the fatty acid allows it to remain liquid at room temperature.

  • Chemists often study the impact of unsaturation on the reactivity of organic molecules.

  • High levels of unsaturation in a compound can lead to increased instability and reactivity.

Surface Forms

unsaturation singular
unsaturations plural

Morphology

unsaturation = unsaturated (semi-transparent) = un + saturate + ion

Formed regularly from 'unsaturated' + '-ion', but the chemistry-specific meaning ('presence of double or triple bonds') is technical and may not be inferable by a general B1 learner.

Etymology

Unsaturation comes from un- 'not' plus saturation, from a root that means 'to fill'. In chemistry, unsaturation means a molecule is 'not full' of hydrogen because double or triple bonds leave room where more hydrogen could join.