Differentiate conjugated and unconjugated
Conjugated and unconjugated refer to the arrangement of double or triple bonds in a molecule.
Conjugated: In organic chemistry, conjugation refers to the alternating arrangement of single and multiple bonds in a molecule. When a molecule has multiple double or triple bonds separated by single bonds, it is said to be conjugated. The conjugated system allows for the delocalization of electrons, providing stability to the molecule. Conjugated molecules often have special properties, such as colored compounds or increased reactivity. Examples of conjugated molecules include conjugated dienes like 1,3-butadiene or aromatic compounds like benzene.
Unconjugated: On the other hand, unconjugated molecules do not have a continuous arrangement of alternating single and multiple bonds. They may have isolated double or triple bonds that are not directly connected to each other. Such molecules do not possess the delocalization of electrons found in conjugated systems and therefore lack the special properties associated with conjugation. Examples of unconjugated molecules include simple alkenes like ethene or alkynes like ethyne.
In summary, the difference between conjugated and unconjugated molecules lies in the arrangement of double or triple bonds. Conjugated molecules have a continuous arrangement of alternating single and multiple bonds, while unconjugated molecules have isolated double or triple bonds.