ALKENES
The alkenes are a homologous series of hydrocarbons that contain a carbon-carbon double bond.
The number of hydrogen atoms in an alkene is double the number of carbon atoms, so they have the
general formula CnH2n.
Alkenes are unsaturated because they contain at least one C=C double bond. As a result, they are
more reactive than alkanes.
.
Alkenes will react with bromine water and turn it from orange/brown to colourless. This is the way to
test for a double C=C bond in a molecule.
Naming of alkenes
No. of carbon Name of Empirical Molecular Structural Displayed
atoms alkene formula Formula Formula Formula
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Isomerism in the alkenes
All the alkenes with 4 or more carbon atoms in them show structural isomerism.
There are two types of structural isomerism shown by alkenes namely:
a) Branching isomerism: - which occurs when a substituent group is attached to one of the carbon
atoms in the longest carbon chain containing the double bond.
b) Positional isomerism: This occurs when the double bond in an alkene has been changed.
To name the isomers of alkenes, following rules are followed:
Determine the parent name of the alkene by locating the longest carbon chain containing the
double bond.
Number the carbon atoms in the longest carbon chain starting from the end nearer the double
bond.
Indicate the positions of the substituent groups by showing the position of the carbon atom to
which they are attached
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Example: Isomers of butene
Exercise
1. Give the systematic names of the following compounds.
a. b.
c.
d. CH3 – C – CH2 – CH3 . (e) CH3 – C – Br
|| ||
CH2 CH2
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Physical properties of alkenes
The table below shows the physical properties of alkenes
Name Molecular formula Melting point oC Boiling point oC Density g/cm3
Ethene C2H4 -169 -104 -
Propene C3H6 -185 -47.7 -
But-1-ene C4H8 -185 -62 -
Pent-1-ene C5H10 -138 30 0.640
Hex-1-ene C6H12 -98 63.9 0.674
NOTE
Physical states of alkenes change with change in molecular masses.
Melting and boiling points increase with increase in molecular masses.
Density also increases with increase in the molecular masses.
Chemical properties of alkenes
1. Combustion
Alkenes burn in air with a sooty flame to form carbon dioxide and water.
e.g. 2C3H6 + 9O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O
The sooty flame (smoky) is a characteristic of unsaturation.
2. Addition reactions
Alkenes undergo addition reactions. In an addition reaction a molecule adds to the C=C bond to
give a single product with a C–C bond.
(a) Halogenation, which is the addition of halogens.
For example, when alkenes are shaken with bromine water in a test tube, the orange colour
of the bromine disappears. The observation for the reaction is ORANGE to COLOURLESS.
This reaction is used as a test for unsaturated compounds (Compounds containing C=C)).
(b) Addition of hydrogen halides
All alkenes undergo addition reactions with hydrogen halides. A hydrogen atom joins to one
carbon atoms originally in the double bond, and a halogen atom to the other.
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Examples:
(i) Ethene and hydrogen chloride produces bromooethane
(ii) Propene and hydrogen chloride
Name each of the products
(c) Hydrogenation which is the addition of hydrogen. This occurs in the presence of nickel catalyst at
a temperature of about 200°C.
(d) Addition of water (hydration)
Ethene reacts with steam at high temperature and high pressure and in the presence of a
catalyst (phosphoric acid) to produce ethanol.
(e) Addition polymerisation
Polymerisation is the process by which a large number of small molecules (called MONOMERS)
link together to form a large molecule called a POLYMER.
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(i) Polymerisation of ethene
Ethene molecules can be made to join together to form the polymer called polyethene or
polythene. High temperature and high pressure are needed for the reaction to occur.
In this reaction the double bond is broken, to form a link on either side to another molecule.
Polyethene is used for making plastic bags and plastic bottles (since it forms a flexible film and
is transparent)
(ii) Polymerisation of propene
When propene polymerises it forms polypropene. This differs from Polyethene in that it since
it has one CH3 attached to alternate C atoms in the chain:
Polypropene is used for making plastic crates and ropes (since it is stronger and less flexible
than poly(ethene), and the fibres in ropes are flexible)
In general, any ethene molecule which has an H atom replaced with an group will polymerise
in a similar way.
For example,
(iii) Polymerisation of chloroethene
If X= Cl, the polymer is called polychloroethene [or commonly PVC, for polyvinylchloride]:
Polychloroethene is used for making for drain pipes and for insulation on electric cables
(since it is strong but flexible, and doesn’t conduct electricity)
