What is the difference between a saturated and unsaturated organic compound? Saturated compounds contain single bonds that link carbon atoms to each other, while an unsaturated compound contains double or triple bonds. Saturated compounds are held together by a sigma bond, while unsaturated compounds are held together by weaker pi bonds. Saturated compounds have at least four atoms bonded to the central atom with no lone electron pairs, while unsaturated compounds have less than four atoms. The carbons and hydrogens in an unsaturated compound are connected through single bonds, while the atoms in saturated compounds are connected through triple bonds