What is the general name for a chemical compound that contains a triple bond between carbon atoms?

A chemical compound that contains a triple bond between carbon atoms is known as an alkyne. Alkynes are characterized by the presence of at least one carbon-carbon triple bond in their structure, which significantly affects their chemical properties and reactivity compared to compounds with single or double bonds.

Alkynes are unsaturated hydrocarbons, meaning they contain fewer hydrogen atoms than alkanes (which have only single bonds) or alkenes (which have at least one double bond). The presence of the triple bond imparts unique properties to alkynes, such as higher acidity and specific patterns of reactivity in organic reactions, particularly in addition and substitution reactions.

The structure and bonding of alkynes are critical for understanding various organic chemistry concepts, including mechanisms of chemical reactions and the synthesis of more complex organic molecules.