Alkenes Flashcards
What is a C=C double bond?
An area of high electron density
Why are alkenes highly reactive?
Their C=C double bond
How is the C=C double bond formed?
The overlap of a spare unbonded singly filled p-orbital present on each carbon atom in the bond
Can a C=C double bond be rotated?
NOPE
What is the general formula for alkenes?
Cn H2n
What is the bond angle and shape name for the C=C double bond in alkenes?
120
Planar
When naming alkenes what must you always check for?
E/Z isomerism
What is the only mechanism in the alkenes topic?
Electrophilic addition
Are alkenes or alkanes more reactive?
Alkenes
What is an electrophile?
A species that Accepts a pair of electrons
What area of alkenes is easily attacked by electrophiles?
Why?
The C=C double bond
It has a high electron density
Describe the mechanism to turn alkenes to alkanes briefly
Give this mechanism’s name
An electron pair is donated to the electrophile which causes C=C double bond to break, allowing each C to form bonds with other species
Electrophilic addition
Describe the electrophilic addition mechanism with the electrophile X-Y
1) an e- pair from the C=C bond forms a covalent bond with the delta positive X, breaking the X-Y bond and forming a :Y- ion. An intermediate with a *ve carbocation is formed
2) lone pair on :Y- forms a covalent bond with +ve carbon
In electrophilic addition with Bromine water, what does the :Br- ion act as?
A nucleophile
Bromine water is non-polar. How does electrophilic addition occur?
Electron rich double bond induces a dipole and delta positive Br acts as the electrophile