Topic 3 - Alkenes

ALKENES

• Ethene and butene are both members of the alkene family. 
• The general formula for alkenes is CnH2n.
• The alkenes form another homologous series. 
• In all the alkenes the hydrogen atoms are joined to other atoms by a single bond. The carbon atoms are also joined to one another by single bonds.
• Carbon can also form double bonds, both with itself, and to oxygen and nitrogen.
• Ethene is a flat symmetrical molecule. Carbon dioxide is a linear molecule.

ALKANES AND ALKENES COMPARED

• Alkanes have their full quota of hydrogen atoms, and are said to be saturated. This makes them relatively unreactive.
• Alkenes on the other hand do not have their full quota of hydrogen atoms and are said to be unsaturated.

• A carbon-carbon double bond is quite a strong bond, but it is also quite a reactive bond. It…