Those compounds are called Aliphatic Unsaturated Hydrocarbons :-
1 – Aliphatic are those in which all the chains of atoms present are open.
2 – Those that are unsaturated i.e. in which at least one carbon-carbon double bond or carbon-carbon triple bond is present.
3- In which only carbon and hydrogen elements are present. These aliphatic unsaturated hydrocarbons are called alkenes in which only one carbon-carbon double bond is present.
Those aliphatic unsaturated hydrocarbons are called alkynes in which only one carbon-carbon triple bond is present.
What is Alkenes?
Those aliphatic unsaturated hydrocarbons are called alkenes in which only one carbon-carbon double bond is present. The general formula of alkenes is CnH2n and all alkenes belong to the same homologous series. Substituting the value of n as 1 in the general formula CnH2n, the formula obtained is CH2. In this formula all four valencies of carbon are not satisfied.
Hence it does not show any compound. It exhibits a bivalent free radical named Ethylene (C2H4) as the simplest member of the series. This compound reacts with chlorine to form an oil-like substance called Ethylene dichloride. Hence the members of this category are also called Olefins. The double bonds present in olefines are also called Olefinic bonds.
Nomenclature of Alkenes :
In the IUPAC method, the nomenclature of alkenes is done by removing ene from the end of the name of the alkane and adding ene. Following are the molecular formula, structure formula, common name IUPAC name of some major alkenes –
| Formula | Structure Formula | Name | IUPAC Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| C₂H₄ | H₂C=CH₂ | Ethylene | Ethene |
| C3H6 | CH3CH=CH2 | Propylene | Propene |
| C4H8 | CH₃CH₂CH=CH₂ | 1-Butylene | 1-Butene |
| C4H8 | CH3-HC=CH-CH3 | β-Butylene | 2-Butene |
| C4H8 | (CH3)2C=CH2 | Isobutylene | 2-methylpropene |
Isomerism in Alkenes :
The first two members of the alkene series (ethylene and propene) do not show isomerism. The other members of this category represent Place Isomerism, Series Isomerism and Geometric Isomerism.
example :
The molecular formula C4H8 shows four isomerism of alkenes –
Of these four isomerisms, I and II are series isomerism, II and III are series isomerism, II and IV are series isomerism, I and III are space isomerism, I and IV are space isomerism and III and IV are geometric isomerism.
Structure of Alkenes
The structure of alkenes can be explained by the example of ethylene. In ethylene (C2H4) each carbon atom is sp2 hybridized. So each carbon atom has three sp2 hybridized orbitals and one pure p orbital. Three sp2 hybridized orbitals are used to form three sigma bonds. The remaining one p orbital on both carbon atoms form a pi bond by lateral overlap.
Thus ethylene molecule has one carbon-carbon double bond and four carbon-hydrogen single bond. In other words ethylene molecule has 5 sigma bond and 1 pi bond. Since the pi bond is formed by lateral overlap and is weaker than the sigma bond formed by linear overlap, the pi bond is easily broken in the reactions of ethylene.
Like ethylene in other alkenes also 1 pi bond is present. Due to the presence of pi bond, these compounds are highly reactive and show additive reactions. For this reason these compounds are called unsaturated compounds.
The bond angle in sp2 hybridization is 120°. Therefore, the value of each H–C–H and H–C–C angle in ethylene molecule is 120° and ethylene molecule is planer. In alkenes, the C–C bond length is 1.34 A and the C–H bond length is 1.60 A. The C = C binding energy is 145 k cal per mole.
General Methods of Preparation of Alkenes
By Dehydration of Alcohols : Alkene is obtained by heating alcohols with concentrated sulfuric acid or concentrated phosphoric acid.
Example-
In this reaction one molecule of water is removed from one molecule of alcohol. Such reactions are called dehydration.
Dehydration of alcohols can also be done by passing its vapors over heated alumina (Al2O3) or anhydrous aluminum sulfate.
In this reaction one molecule of water is removed from one molecule of alcohol. Such reactions are called dehydration.
Dehydration of alcohols can also be done by passing its vapors over heated alumina (Al2O3) or anhydrous aluminum sulfate.