Alkenes Flashcards
What is the general formula for an alkene?
CnH2n
What other thing has the general formula CnH2n
Cycloalkanes
What makes alkenes very reactive?
They are unsaturated compounds, with regions of high electron density
What is the hybridisation of carbon in alkenes?
sp2 hybridised
What is a symmetrical alkene?
This is an alkene with an equal number of carbons on either side of the C=C bond
What is an asymmetrical alkene?
This is an alkene with an unequal number of carbons on either side of the C=C bond
This gives room for a mixture of products to be formed in chemical reactions
What reactions do alkenes undergo?
- Oxidation
- Electrophilic addition
What reagents commonly react with alkenes?
Halogen molecules or hydrogen halides
What property of hydrogen halides makes them act as electrophiles?
The electronegativity difference in the H-X bond, giving the H a δ+ charge
How are the neutral halogen molecules made polar?
A dipole is induced when the halogen molecule approaches the electron rich C=C bond.
e- repulsion occurs, making the halide atom closer to the C=C bond have a δ+ charge
Do alkenes decolourise bromine water?
Yes
What rule is typically followed when determining the major product in the reaction of an alkene with a hydrogen halide?
Markovnikov’s rule
What does Markovnikov’s rule basically imply?
The most stable carbocation is formed in the intermediate step
State Markovnikov’s rule
as applies to the reaxn. with hydrogen halides
When an asymmetrical alkene reacts with a hydrogen halide, the hydrogen atom bonds with the carbon that has** the higher number** of carbon atoms
What bond is broken when alkenes react?
The π bond; the second bond of the C=C double bond