There are basically four different types of hydrocarbons formed by carbon. These hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes, alkanes, arenes (i.e., aromatic hydrocarbon), and alkyne-based compounds. However, chemistry further classified hydrocarbons into three groups based on their IUPAC nomenclature. We have saturated hydrocarbons, unsaturated hydrocarbons, and aromatic hydrocarbons.
The saturated hydrocarbons, which are mostly alkanes, are the simplest forms of hydrocarbon saturated with hydrogen bonds and are of single bond entirely. The unsaturated hydrocarbons are the ones with double or triple bonds joining their carbon atoms together. The ones with double bonds are referred to as alkenes, while the once with triple bonds are called alkenes.
The aromatic hydrocarbons, which are also called arenes, are the ones with one aromatic ring, at least. The cycloalkanes are classified under the saturated hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons can be gases, liquids, low melting solids or waxes, or polymers. The hydrocarbons that exist on the earth are usually occurring naturally in petroleum.