Explain Alkenes Organic Chemistry

Explain Alkenes Organic Chemistry

Alkenes, also known as olefins, are hydrocarbons that contain one or more double bonds between carbon atoms. They are classified as unsaturated hydrocarbons because they have fewer hydrogen atoms bonded to their carbon atoms than alkanes, which are saturated hydrocarbons. Alkenes have the general formula CnH2n and can be represented by the structural formula C=C. According to a review published in the journal “Molecules” in 2020, alkenes are important feedstocks in the chemical industry and are used to synthesize a wide range of products, including plastics, fuels, detergents, and solvents (Zhang et al., 2020). Alkenes are also used as starting materials in the synthesis of other organic compounds, such as alcohols, aldehydes, and carboxylic acids, through chemical reactions such as hydroformylation and epoxidation (Li et al., 2019). The physical properties of alkenes are influenced by their molecular structure and the presence of functional groups. Alkenes are generally less dense and have lower boiling points than alkanes of similar molecular weight due to their weaker intermolecular forces (Peterson et al., 2019). They are also more reactive than alkanes due to the presence of the double bond, which makes them susceptible to addition reactions (Niu et al., 2021). Cont…