Objective
After completing this section, you should be able to give an example of a naturally occurring compound that contains at least one double bond.
Key Term
Make certain that you can define, and use in context, the key term below.
- olefin
Study Notes
Alkenes are a class of hydrocarbons (i.e., containing only carbon and hydrogen). They are unsaturated compounds with at least one carbon-to-carbon double bond. The double bond makes Alkenes more reactive than alkanes. Olefin is another term used to describe alkenes.
The graphic (structure 7-0) shows three alkenes. The more complex alkene is commonly known as 1-methene, but its full proper IUPAC name is 1-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)-cyclohexene.
Contributors
- Dr. Dietmar Kennepohl FCIC (Professor of Chemistry, Athabasca University)