Alkenes Flashcards
What is an alkene also known as?
Olefin
what is an alkene?
- An unsaturated hydrocarbon compound
- Containing at least one carbon-carbon double bond
What is the general formula for alkenes?
CnH2n for straight chains.
2 hydrogen atoms are subtracted for each ring
What is the functional group in alkenes? Why?
The double bond - it determines the chemical properties of alkenes
How are double bonds hybridised?
sp2
How does the nomenclature for alkenes differ from that for alkanes?
It’s the same except:
- “Ene” replaces “ane”
- The double bond is(are) numbered, trying to get the smallest possible number
Why do trans compounds tend to have higher melting points and lower boiling points?
Better symmetry and less polarity, respectively
Can alkenes be polar?
Yes, because of the double bond
What affect does the number of alkyl groups have on an alkene’s stability?
Greater number of alkyl groups (i.e. the more substituted the double bond), the greater the alkene’s stability.
The reason is that alkyl groups are somewhat electron donating, thus they stabilise the double bond
What is an alkene with two double bonds called? What about if it has a single bond between the two double bonds?
A diene.
A conjugate diene.
Conjugated dienes are more stable than non-conjugated ones dienes primarily due to the resonance stabilisation
What is an alkene with three double bonds called?
A triene
What are electrophiles?
What happens when they add to alkenes?
Substances which seek electrons.
Carbocations (carbonium ions) are formed
Name an important electrophile
H+
What is a nucleophile?
A molecule with a free pair of electrons, and sometimes a negative charge, that seeks out partially or completely positively charged species.
I.e. a carbon nucleus. Some important nucleophiles are OH- and CN-
True or false, the double bond has the ability to to stabilise carbocations, carboanions and radicals attached to adjacent carbons (allylic carbons)
True