Degree of Unsaturation Calculator
Compute the degree of unsaturation (DoU), also called index of hydrogen deficiency, for an organic molecule from its atomic composition.
How to Use the Degree of Unsaturation Calculator
- Enter the number of carbon atoms.
- Enter hydrogens, nitrogens and halogens.
- Click Calculate to see the degree of unsaturation.
Casos de Uso
- •Interpreting mass-spectrometry molecular formulas.
- •Proposing structures for unknown compounds.
- •Organic chemistry homework.
Fórmula
DoU = (2C + 2 + N − H − X) / 2, where C, H, N, X are counts of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and halogen atoms.
Preguntas Frecuentes
What does DoU tell me?
Each unit of unsaturation corresponds to one ring or one π-bond (double bond = 1, triple bond = 2, benzene ring = 4).
What about oxygen?
Oxygen and sulfur do not change the DoU because they form two bonds and do not alter the hydrogen deficiency.