Alkenes Flashcards
what is the general formula for alkenes ?
CnH2n
how are alkenes hydrocarbons ?
they contain hydrogen and carbon only
how are alkenes unsaturated ?
there is at least 1 double covalent bond - undergo addition reactions
unsaturated compounds
one or more double or triple bonds between atoms in their molecules
what makes alkenes fairly reactive ?
double bonds having a high electron density
physical properties of alkenes
- melting and boiling temperatures increase as the number of carbon atoms in the molecules increase
- do not mix or dissolve in water
what does double bonds contain ?
sigma and pi bond
what are sigma bonds ?
when 2 s orbitals overlap
- align horizontally to give a single covalent bond
- free rotation is possible around single bonds
due to the high electron density between the nuclei ..
there is a strong electrostatic attraction between the nuclei and shared pair of electrons - high bond enthalpy and strongest type of covalent bond
what are pi bonds ?
the parallel overlap of 2 p orbitals
where is the pi bond found ?
molecules with double or triple bonds - rotation is restricted because of these regions of high electron density
what shape are the p orbitals ?
dumb-bell shaped and when they merge they form 2 oblong shaped - one on the top and one at the bottom
why are pi bonds weaker than stigma bonds ?
electron density is spread out above and below the nuclei
- the electrostatic attraction is weaker so pi bonds have a lower enthalpy
how many electron are shared in the double bond ?
4
how is pi bonds open to attack from electrophiles ?
pi bonds stick out a little and the whole double bond has a high electron density
electrophile
a chemical species with a vacant orbital that can affect a pair of electrons
- electrophile are positive or have a positive dipole
addition
a reaction in which two molecules add together to form a single product
nucleophile
a chemical species with a pair of electrons that it can use to form a new covalent bond
- nucleophiles are negative or have a high electron density
electrophilic addition
- alkenes are attacked by electrophiles due to their double bond
- double bond has a high density of electrons and is attacked by electrophiles - the electrophile adds to the molecule
what is an electrophile
electron pair acceptor - they are deficient in electrons and are attracted to the double bond
addition of hydrogen
reacting hydrogen gas with ethene at 150 degrees Celsius and a nickel catalyst will make ethane
CH3CH2 + H2 -> CH3CH3
- this reaction is called catalytic hydrogenation - used in the manufacture of margarine from unsaturated vegetable oils
addition of halogens
reacts with br2
to produce di halogenoalkanes
- alkene + halogen - > 1,2 dihaloalkane
addition of hydrogen halides
reacts with HBr
to produce halogenoalkanes
- alkene + hydrogen halide - > halogenoalkane