Alkenes and Ethanol

Alkenes and Ethanol

Alkenes

• These are hydrocarbons (meaning they're made up of hydrogen and carbon atoms)
• They have a double bond between two of the carbon atoms in their chain
• They are unsaturated, meaning they can make more bonds - the double bond can open up, allowing the two carbon atoms to bond with other atoms
• All alkenes have the formula: 

                                                   C_nH_2n

Ethene Reacting With Steam to Produce Ethanol

• Ethene will react with steam to make ethanol
• This reaction needs a temperature of 300^oC and a pressure of 70 atmosphere
• The catalyst used is phosphoric acid
• This is a cheap process because ethene is fairly cheap and not…