4.3 Alkenes Flashcards
What are alkenes ?
Alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons, meaning they have at least one carbon = carbon double bond.
What is the general formula of alkenes ?
Cn H2n
What type of alkene obeys the general formula ?
Branched alkenes do obey the formula, but cyclic alkenes and alkenes with more than one double bond do not.
What is the general formula for alicyclic alkenes ?
Cn H2n-2
What are sigma bonds ?
They are single bonds and also are the first bond in the double bond of an alkene.
How are sigma bonds formed ?
Formed from end-on overlap of atomic orbitals (Eg., s-orbital and p-orbital).
3 of 4 electrons in carbon are used in 3 sigma bond and the 4th electron remains in the p-orbital.
What is a pi bond ?
Sideways overlap of p-orbitals and make up second bond in the double bond. The electron density is concentrated above and below the line going the carbon atoms.
Which bond is weaker (pi or sigma) ?
Pi bonds are weaker than sigma bonds.
What is the shape of alkenes if carbon forms 4 sigma bonds ?
If carbon atoms form 4 bonding pairs, the bonds angle is 109.5 in a tetrahedral arrangement.
What is the shape of bond around carbon atoms of double bond in an alkene ?
Trigonal planar shape with a bond angle of 120 as there are 3 regions of electron density where pi bond is present.
What is an isomer ?
Molecule with same molecular formula but different structural formula.
What are stereoisomers ?
They are molecules with the same molecular formula and same structural formula but different 3D arrangement of atoms in a space.
What is the criteria for stereoisomers ?
-Must have C=C double bond.
-There must be different atoms attached to each carbon atom of the double bond.
What is E/Z isomerism ?
Arises as there is restricted rotation around the double bond. The relative position of attached atoms are fixed. Rotation of the molecule around the double bond would results in breaking sideways overlap of p-orbitals and breaking the pi bond and therefore breaks the double bond.
How can we identify which is E or Z isomers ?
The atoms attached to each carbon of the double bond are given priority. The higher the atomic number, the higher the priority.
What is a z isomer ?
Atoms with higher priority, attached to the carbons of double bond, are on the SAME SIDE.
What is an E isomer ?
Atoms with higher priority, attached to carbons of double bond, are on opposite sides.
What is the criteria for cis-trans isomers ?
-C=C double bond is present.
-Each carbon atom of double bond is bonded to 2 different atoms.
-One of attached groups on each carbon atom of double bond must be the same.