Degree of Unsaturation Calculator
Calculate degree of unsaturation for organic compounds using molecular formula analysis to determine rings, double bonds, and triple bonds.
Enter Molecular Formula
Results
Enter molecular formula to calculate degree of unsaturation
Degree of Unsaturation
Formula
DU = (2C + 2 + N - H - X) / 2
- • C = Number of carbon atoms
- • N = Number of nitrogen atoms
- • H = Number of hydrogen atoms
- • X = Number of halogen atoms
Interpretation
- • DU = 0: Saturated compound
- • DU = 1: One double bond or ring
- • DU = 2: Two double bonds, one triple bond, or two rings
- • DU = 4: Aromatic ring
Common Examples
Saturated (DU = 0)
- • Methane (CH₄)
- • Ethane (C₂H₆)
- • Propane (C₃H₈)
- • Butane (C₄H₁₀)
Unsaturated (DU = 1)
- • Ethylene (C₂H₄)
- • Cyclopropane (C₃H₆)
- • Cyclobutane (C₄H₈)
- • Cyclohexane (C₆H₁₂)
Aromatic (DU = 4)
- • Benzene (C₆H₆)
- • Pyridine (C₅H₅N)
- • Naphthalene (C₁₀H₈)
- • Anthracene (C₁₄H₁₀)
Applications
Structure Determination
- • Identify rings and double bonds
- • Determine aromaticity
- • Predict molecular geometry
- • Validate proposed structures
Synthesis Planning
- • Plan synthetic routes
- • Predict reactivity
- • Design target molecules
- • Optimize reaction conditions