• These are hydrocarbons containing a C=C (double carbon to carbon bond)

• Since atoms or groups of atoms can still be added on to each carbon (doesn’t yet have 4
bonds) they are called unsaturated

The general formula is C H

n 2n

Naming Alkenes

• The position of the double bond is identified from the lowest

numbered carbon atom to which it is attached.

• The double bond takes priority in numbering over alkyl (alkane

chain) or halogen (Cl, Br, I, F) substituents

Structural/Constitutional Isomers

• Like alkanes, alkenes can also form structural isomers

• C4H8 can show isomers:

Geometric (cis-trans) Isomers

You must include
For a molecule to have geometric isomers – 2 things are required:
cis/trans in the
1. A double bond (this restricts rotation about the C=C bond)
name!
2. Both of the carbons of the C=C bond have different groups attached

• Note that if one of the carbons has two of the same groups then there is no geometric
isomer

Geometric isomers have the same molecular formula and the same structural formula just different
directions in which their bonds point in space.
 Physical Properties – Melting and Boiling Points

• The same trend as alkanes and for the same reason

• As chain length increases, so does M.P and B.P

• This is due to longer chains allowing for more

intermolecular attractions

• Therefore more energy required to break apart

molecules and change state

Cracking Alkanes – based on boiling point

Cracking is the process of producing more useful smaller chain alkanes, from longer less useful
alkanes. The alkane is heated up and broken into smaller hydrocarbons with some C=C bonds
forming.

Some of the smaller alkanes are used as fuels and the alkenes can be used to make polymers in the
plastics industry.

Physical Properties – Solubility

• The same trend as alkanes and for the same reason

• Alkenes are non-polar as they only contain carbon to carbon and carbon to
hydrogen bonds

• Therefore they are insoluble in water and only soluble in organic (non-polar)
solvents

• Because they are insoluble – they will form a layer on top of the water

Reactions of Alkenes – 6 to know

• Due to the presence of the unsaturated C=C bond, alkenes are more reactive than alkanes

• They undergo addition reactions across the double bond

(1) Addition of H2 – hydrogenation in the presence of a platinum catalyst and heat

(2) Addition of halogens (Cl2, Br2, I2, F2) – halogenation

 • When this reaction is carried out with orange Br2 alkenes will rapidly decolourise it and
without the need for UV light (unlike alkanes)

• This is a classic test for distinguishing between alkanes and alkenes.

Alkanes will slowly decolourise bromine water in the presence of light

Akenes will rapidly decolourise bromine water even in the absence of light

(3) Addition of a hydrogen halide (H-X) to give a monohalogenated alkane (just one Cl, Br, I, F)

Since the but-2-ene is symmetrical, it doesn’t matter which way around the HBr adds – either way it
is still called 2-bromobutane

Addition of a hydrogen halide (H-X) to give a monohalogenated alkane (just one Cl, Br, I, F) but to an
asymmetric alkene

Markovnikov’s Rule

When an asymmetric reagent (like HX) adds across the C=C of an asymmetric alkane (has
different groups attached to each C of the double bond), the C atom with the most H-atoms
already attached will gain the H atom and the C atom with the fewest H atoms already
attached will gain the halogen (X)

We still get the other product forming but in much smaller quantities

“THE RICH GET RICHER”

Do not use this as an explanation in any exam answer – EVER!

(4) Addition of H2O to an alkene produces an alcohol (hydration)

Also follows Markovnikov’s rule
This reaction is acid catalysed – meaning an aqueous acid solution needs to be used (acid diluted in
water). Typically dilute H2SO4 (aq) is used.

(5) Diols are made by an oxidation reaction with acidified MnO 4-

Since the purple MnO4– ion is converted

into the colourless Mn2+ ion, this reaction
can also be used as a test for
unsaturation/alkenes in a molecule.
Alkanes would remain unreacted
(stays purple).

If MnO4- is used in non-acidic conditions, then it is converted to MnO 2 as the diol forms. MnO2 is a
brown solid.

(6) Polymerisation – addition of a large number of monomers (single alkene units) to make a long
chain called a polymer. Heat and a platinum catalyst are required.

The polymer is named by identifying the repeat unit and adding poly- as a prefix.

Note: The polymer is fully saturated and has no double bonds, unlike the original monomer, despite
its name ending.

repeat unit

Polymers are unreactive and have a wide range of uses

If the monomer is vinylchloride (or chloroethene) the polymer is polyvinyl chloride
(polychloroethene), PVC, where every second carbon atom has a chlorine atom attached to it.
Write an equation for the formation of polychloroethene (PVC)