Question

Define alkenes. Name the first two members of the series

Answer 1

1. Alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons containing carbon-carbon double bond in its molecular structure.
2. Alkenes have two hydrogen atoms less than the corresponding alkenes. The general molecular formula is ${\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{H}}_{2\mathrm{n}}$ where $n=2,3...$
3. Hence alkenes are more reactive than alkanes.
4. The first two member of the alkene series are as follows:
   1. Ethene$\left({\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_4\right)$ has two hydrogens with four hydrogens. The suffix “-ene” indicates a double bond in its structure.
   2. Propene$\left({\mathrm{C}}_3{\mathrm{H}}_6\right)$ has three carbons with six hydrogens. The suffix “-ene” indicates a double bond in its structure.