Saturated and unsaturated compounds

The concept of saturation can be described using various naming systems, formulas, and analytical tests.

For instance, IUPAC nomenclature is a system of naming conventions used to describe the type and location of unsaturation within organic compounds.

The "degree of unsaturation" is a formula used to summarize and diagram the amount of hydrogen that a compound can bind.

The triglycerides (fats) that comprise tallow are derived from the saturated stearic and monounsaturated oleic acids.

[4][5] In physical chemistry, when referring to surface processes, saturation denotes the degree at which a binding site is fully occupied.