desaturation

(dē-sach″ŭ-rā′shŏn)

To hear audio pronunciation of this topic, purchase a subscription or log in.

[de- + saturation]

1. Conversion of a saturated organic compound into an unsaturated one, as when stearic acid, C₁₈H₃₆O₂, is changed into oleic acid, C₁₈H₃₄O₂. The product has different physical and chemical properties after this transformation.
SEE: saturated hydrocarbon
2. The removal of a component from a chemical solution, e.g., a solute from a solvent.
3. The dissociation of oxygen from hemoglobin.

There's more to see -- the rest of this topic is available only to subscribers.