3.2.6

Introduction to Alkenes

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Alkenes

Alkenes are hydrocarbons with the functional group C=C. This means that alkenes have a carbon-carbon double bond.

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Unsaturated

  • Alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons because they contain a double bond between two of their carbon atoms (C=C).
  • This means that an alkene contains two fewer hydrogen atoms than the alkane with the same number of carbon atoms.
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Formula

  • A homologous series is a series of compounds with the same general formula.
    • CnH2n is the general formula for alkenes.
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Reactive

  • Alkenes are more reactive than alkanes.
    • This is because the double bond is of high electron density.

The Four Shortest Alkenes

The four shortest alkenes, in ascending (increasing) size order, are:

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Ethene

  • Ethene has the formula C2H4.
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Propene

  • Propene has the formula C3H6.
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Butene

  • Butene has the formula C4H8.
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Pentene

  • Pentene has the formula C5H10.

Jump to other topics

1Physical Chemistry

1.1Atoms, Molecules & Stoichiometry

1.2Atomic Structure

1.3Chemical Bonding

1.4States of Matter

1.5Chemical Energetics

1.6Electrochemistry

1.7Equilibria

1.8Partition Coefficient

1.9Reaction Kinetics

2Inorganic Chemistry

3Organic Chemistry & Analysis

3.1Introduction to Organic Chemistry

3.2Hydrocarbons

3.3Halogen Derivatives

3.4Hydroxy Compounds

3.5Carbonyl Compounds

3.6Carboxylic Acids & Derivatives

3.7Nitrogen Compounds

3.8Polymerisation

3.9Analytical Techniques

3.10Organic Synthesis

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