II.

ALKENE GROUP
➢ ALKENES (unsaturated hydrocarbons): hydrocarbons with carbon-to-
carbon double bonds (R2C=CR2)
: General Formula (CnH2n )

A. IUPAC NOMENCLATURE OF ALKENE GROUP

Here are some basic rules for naming alkenes from the International
Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC):
1. The longest chain of carbon atoms containing the double
bond is considered the parent chain.
2. It is named using the same stem as the alkane having the same
number of carbon atoms but ending in -ene to identify it as an
alkene.
EXAMPLE:
CH2=CHCH3 (Thus the compound is propene)

3. If there are four or more carbon atoms in a chain, we must

indicate the position of the double bond.
4. The carbons atoms are numbered so that the first of the two that
are doubly bonded is given the lower of the two possible
numbers.
EXAMPLE:
CH3CH=CHCH2CH3 ( The compound has a double
bond between the second and third carbon atoms. Its name is 2-
pentene (not 3-pentene)).
 5. Substituent groups are named as with alkanes, and their position
is indicated by a number.

EXAMPLE:

(Thus, the
compound is 5-
methyl-2-hexene)

Note that the numbering of the parent chain is always done in such a
way as to give the double bond the lowest number, even if that causes a
substituent to have a higher number. The double bond always has priority in
numbering.
B. CIS-TRANS ISOMERS (GEOMETRIC ISOMERS)
❖ Compounds that have different configurations (groups permanently
in different places in space) because of the presence of a rigid
structure in their molecule.
❖ CIS-ISOMER: The isomer in which the two group atoms lie on the
same side of the molecule.
EXAMPLE:

❖ TRANS-ISOMER: The isomer in which the two groups of atoms are

on opposite sides of the molecule.

EXAMPLE:
C. CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF ALKENES
❖ Alkenes are valued mainly for addition reactions, in which one of
the bonds in the double bond is broken.
❖ Each of the carbon atoms in the bond can then attach another atom
or group while remaining joined to each other by a single bond.
❖ Reactions of alkenes with hydrogen, halogens, and water:
I. HYDROGENATION
✓ a reaction with hydrogen (H2) in the presence of a catalyst
such as nickel (Ni) or platinum (Pt).
EXAMPLE:

✓ The product is an alkane having the same carbon skeleton

as the alkene.
II. HALOGENATION
✓ The addition of halogen groups.
EXAMPLE:
 ✓ The bromine (Br2) reaction can be used to test for
alkenes.
✓ Bromine solutions are brownish-red.
✓ When we add a Br2 solution to an alkene, the color of the
solution disappears because the alkene reacts with the
bromine.

III. HYDRATION
✓ Reaction between an alkene and water to form an
alcohol.
✓ Requires a catalyst—usually a strong acid, such as
sulfuric acid (H2SO4)
EXAMPLE:

✓ We deal with this reaction in the synthesis of

alcohols.
D. NAMING CYCLOALKENES
❖ Because there are no chain ends in cycloalkenes, the double
bond is assumed to be numbered C1 and C2 and its location
number is not required in the name.
❖ The direction of the numbering is determined by which will give
the substituent closest to the double bond the lowest number.
❖ If multiple double bonds are present, it may be necessary to
include their location numbers in the name.
❖ One of the double bonds will be number C1 and C2 and the
numbering direction is determined by which gives the remaining
double bonds the lowest possible number.

EXAMPLE: