7.1.7

Uses of Alkenes

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Uses of Alkenes

Alkenes, like alkanes, are hydrocarbons (organic compounds made of carbon and hydrogen). Their uses include:

Alkanes and Alkenes

Alkanes and alkenes are hydrocarbons extracted from crude oil through fractional distillation.

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Structure

  • In alkanes, carbon atoms bond to four other atoms (hydrogen or carbon) by single bonds and are saturated.
    • The general formula for alkanes is CnH(2n+2).
  • Alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons because they contain a double bond between two of their carbon atoms (C=C).
    • They have the general formula CnH2n.
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Uses

  • Alkanes are quite unreactive but can burn well, making them useful fuels.
  • Alkenes can be used to make plastics (polymers) and can undergo addition reactions to make new compounds.
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Reactions

  • Alkanes undergo complete combustion when there is sufficient oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water. If there is insufficient oxygen toxic carbon monoxide is produced.
  • Alkenes can react with hydrogen to produce alkanes, steam (water) to produce alcohols, halogens to produce halogenoalkanes, and oxygen to burn in combustion.

Jump to other topics

1Atomic Structure

2Chemical Bonding

3Quantitative Chemistry

4Chemical Changes

5Energy Changes

6The Rate & Extent of Chemical Change

7Organic Chemistry

8Chemical Analysis

9Chemistry of the Atmosphere

10Using Resources

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