Question

Why are alkenes called unsaturated hydrocarbons?

Answer 1

1. The name alkene has a suffix “-ene” indicating that it contains a carbon-carbon double bond in its molecular structure.
2. The general formula of alkene series is given by ${\mathbf{C}}_{\mathbf{n}}{\mathbf{H}}_{\mathbf{2}\mathbf{n}}$
3. It has two hydrogen atoms less than the corresponding alkane.
4. So is undergoes a reaction to add two hydrogen atoms per molecule of alkene to become corresponding saturated hydrocarbons(alkanes)
5. Therefore alkenes are called unsaturated hydrocarbons owing to the presence of carbon-carbon double bond in alkene molecules, giving them characteristic addition reactions.