Lesson 8 Alkenes

FORM 5 CSEC CHEMISTRY ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LESSON 8
3. REACTIONS OF CARBON COMPOUNDS
3.1 describe the reactions of alkenes

The chemical reactions considered should be: burning and halogenation of alkenes, hydration and
hydrogenation for alkenes.
Equations and conditions for reactions are required.
3.2 relate the characteristic reactions of alkenes to their structures;

Emphasis should be placed on the dominance of addition in alkenes
3.3 distinguish between alkanes and alkenes

Carbon-Carbon double bond (C=C) associated with unsaturation.
Test for unsaturation (burning is not acceptable). Use bromine solution or acidified potassium
manganate (VII).
ALKENES
 Alkenes are hydrocarbons because they contain carbon and hydrogen atoms ONLY.
 The general formula of the alkenes is CnH2n where n ≥ 2.
 The functional group is at least one carbon-to-carbon double bond in their molecules.
 They possess less hydrogen atoms than their corresponding alkanes.
 Compounds that have a C=C double bond are also called unsaturated compounds. Thus,
they are referred to as unsaturated hydrocarbons.
 One bond of the double bond in alkenes is weaker than the other and hence easily broken
– resulting in alkenes being more reactive than alkanes.
 The characteristic chemical reaction of alkenes is Addition Reactions, across the weaker
member of the double bond.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
1. All alkenes with C2 – C4 ( 2 to 4 carbon atoms) are gases

C5 – C15 are liquids
 C15 are solids
2. All alkenes are non-polar and insoluble in water
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THE REACTIONS OF THE ALKENES
1. COMBUSTION OR BURNING
 Alkenes burn with a smoky, yellow flame containing unburnt carbon, because they
possess a higher percentage by mass of carbon atoms in their molecules compared to
their respective alkanes.
 They produce carbon dioxide, water and heat when burnt.
 Combustion reactions are exothermic reactions.
2. ADDITION REACTIONS
 Alkenes undergo addition reactions in which atoms of a simple molecule add across
the C=C double bond.
 Addition reactions occur across the weaker member of the double bond in alkenes.
 Addition reactions result in the formation of one product.
 Addition reactions include:
-HALOGENATION
-HYDROGENATION
-HYDRATION
-REACTION WITH H+/KMNO4
-POLYMERIZATION
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HALOGENATION – ADDITION OF A HALOGEN MOLECULE ((Cl2, Br2, I2)
E.g. Addition of Bromine molecule
 The reaction between bromine and ethene is an example of an addition reaction.

 If you have a gaseous alkene like ethene, you can bubble it through either pure liquid
bromine or a solution of bromine in an organic solvent like tetrachloromethane, CCl4.
OR
OBSERVATION: The reddish-brown bromine or orange bromine colour is decolourised

(becomes colourless) as it reacts with the alkene.
HYDROGENATION – ADDITION OF HYDROGEN MOLECULE (H2)
 Alkenes also undergo addition reactions with hydrogen in which an alkane is formed.
 These are hydrogenation reactions and occur at 200ºC using a finely divided catalyst such
as nickel, palladium or platinum catalyst.
 Hydrogenation reactions are used to change vegetable oils into margarine to be sold in
supermarkets.
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Hydrogen atoms add across the C=C in the hydrogenation of ethene to produce an alkane
Making margarine
Some margarine is made by hydrogenating carbon-carbon double bonds in animal or vegetable

fats and oils. You can recognise the presence of this in foods because the ingredients list will
include words showing that it contains "hydrogenated vegetable oils" or "hydrogenated fats".
HYDRATION (ADDITION OF STEAM)
Alkenes also undergo addition reactions with steam in which an alcohol is formed. Since water is
being added to the molecule it is also called a hydration reaction.
Reagent: Steam (H2O(g))
Conditions:
 Temperature 300oC
 Pressure of 60 – 70 atm
 Concentrated phosphoric acid catalyst
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A water molecule adds across the C=C in the hydration of ethene to produce ethanol
REACTION WITH DILUTE ACIDIFIED POTASSIUM MANGANATE (VII)
Alkenes decolourise dilute acidified potassium manganate (VII), the purple solution becomes
colourless.
TEST FOR ALKENES (Test for unsaturation)
Add a few drops of bromine water to the sample and shake. If the red-brown or orange colour
of bromine rapidly decolourises, an alkene is present.
If not, no alkane is present.
Concentrated bromine water – red-brown
Dilute bromine water – orange
POLYMERISATION
Alkene molecules undergo an addition reaction called Addition Polymerisation, where they add
on to each other to form addition Polymers.
 Addition polymers are formed by the joining up of many small molecules

called monomers
 A long chain compound called a polymer is the only product formed.
 Addition polymerisation only occurs in monomers that contain C=C bonds
 One of the bonds in each double bond breaks and forms a bond with the adjacent
monomer.
o Monomers are small, reactive molecules that react together to make the polymer
o A polymer is a long-chain molecule made up of many repeating
units (monomers)
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E.g. 1
The diagram shows a polymerisation reaction of ethene to poly(ethene)
Polyethene is used to make plastic films, plastic bags and drinking bottles.
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E.g. 2
E.g. 3
Polychloroethene, also known as PVC is the most versatile plastic used
Polychloroethene is used as plastic.
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USES OF ALKENES
Alkenes, similar to the shorter chain alkanes are used as feedstock for the petrochemical
industry, since they readily undergo addition reactions. They are used in the manufacture of:
a) Polymers or plastics – such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polythene and polystyrene.
 Manufacture of plastics like polythene for making buckets, bowls, and bags.
 Manufacture of polystyrene used in making car battery cases and parts of the refrigerator.
 Polypropene for making ropes and packaging material.
b) Ethanol and other alcohols, as well as anti-freeze for motor car radiators (ethane-1,2-diol).
c) Detergents
d) Solvents
e) Medicines
f) Paints
g) Making an anti-knock for car engines.
h) Manufacture of propanol used in making acetone.
DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN ALKANES AND ALKENES
1. TEST FOR UNSATURATION
Diagram showing the result of the test using bromine water with alkanes and alkenes
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A COMPARISON BETWEEN ALKANES AND ALKENES
Homologous Functional group General formula Example Characteristic chemical

series reaction
Alkanes (Carbon to Carbon CnH2n+2; n ≥ 1 Ethane Substitution – presence of

(Saturated single bonds) strong single covalent
hydrocarbons) *Contains a bonds make alkanes very
higher % by mass unreactive.
of carbon atoms
Alkenes (Carbon to Carbon CnH2n; n ≥ 2 Ethene Addition – presence of the

(Unsaturated double bonds) double bond makes
hydrocarbons) *Contains a lower alkenes more reactive than
% by mass of alkanes because one bond
carbon atoms of the double bond is
weaker.
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FORM 5 CSEC CHEMISTRY ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LESSON 8

3. REACTIONS OF CARBON COMPOUNDS

3.1 describe the reactions of alkenes

3.2 relate the characteristic reactions of alkenes to their structures;

3.3 distinguish between alkanes and alkenes

 The general formula of the alkenes is CnH2n where n ≥ 2.

 They possess less hydrogen atoms than their corresponding alkanes.

1. All alkenes with C2 – C4 ( 2 to 4 carbon atoms) are gases

THE REACTIONS OF THE ALKENES

 They produce carbon dioxide, water and heat when burnt.

 Combustion reactions are exothermic reactions.

 Addition reactions result in the formation of one product.

 Addition reactions include:

-REACTION WITH H+/KMNO4

HALOGENATION – ADDITION OF A HALOGEN MOLECULE ((Cl2, Br2, I2)

E.g. Addition of Bromine molecule

 The reaction between bromine and ethene is an example of an addition reaction.

OBSERVATION: The reddish-brown bromine or orange bromine colour is decolourised

HYDROGENATION – ADDITION OF HYDROGEN MOLECULE (H2)

Some margarine is made by hydrogenating carbon-carbon double bonds in animal or vegetable

HYDRATION (ADDITION OF STEAM)

Reagent: Steam (H2O(g))

REACTION WITH DILUTE ACIDIFIED POTASSIUM MANGANATE (VII)

TEST FOR ALKENES (Test for unsaturation)

If not, no alkane is present.

Concentrated bromine water – red-brown

Dilute bromine water – orange

 Addition polymers are formed by the joining up of many small molecules

The diagram shows a polymerisation reaction of ethene to poly(ethene)

Polychloroethene, also known as PVC is the most versatile plastic used

Polychloroethene is used as plastic.

a) Polymers or plastics – such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polythene and polystyrene.

 Polypropene for making ropes and packaging material.

g) Making an anti-knock for car engines.

h) Manufacture of propanol used in making acetone.

DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN ALKANES AND ALKENES

1. TEST FOR UNSATURATION

A COMPARISON BETWEEN ALKANES AND ALKENES

Homologous Functional group General formula Example Characteristic chemical

Alkanes (Carbon to Carbon CnH2n+2; n ≥ 1 Ethane Substitution – presence of

Alkenes (Carbon to Carbon CnH2n; n ≥ 2 Ethene Addition – presence of the

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