Which type of compounds are characterized by triple bonds?

The type of compounds that are characterized by triple bonds is alkynes. Alkynes are a class of hydrocarbons that contain at least one carbon-carbon triple bond in their structure. This means that in an alkyne, two carbon atoms share three pairs of electrons, creating a strong bond typically associated with unsaturation in the carbon chain.

This triple bond distinguishes alkynes from other types of hydrocarbons. For example, aromatic compounds contain cyclic structures with alternating single and double bonds but do not have triple bonds. Alkenes, on the other hand, are characterized by the presence of double bonds, while alkanes only feature single bonds between the carbon atoms. Therefore, alkynes are the only type of compound in the given choices that specifically include the presence of triple bonds in their molecular structure.