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3.4 Alkenes

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Total cards: 24•Content version: v4•Public deck•Updated: 8/1/2026

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#1
Front (Question)

What is an alkene?

Back (Answer)

Unsaturated hydrocarbons with a C=C double bond

#2
Front (Question)

What is the general formula of an alkene?

Back (Answer)

CnH2n

#3
Front (Question)

Why is there no rotation about the C=C double bond?

Back (Answer)

Due to the π (pi) orbital - electron density above and below the single bond, which holds the carbon atoms in place

#4
Front (Question)

Are they more or less reactive than alkanes? Why?

Back (Answer)

More reactive, due to high electron density of double bond and the fact the pi-bond is slightly easier to break

#5
Front (Question)

What intermolecular forces of attraction do they have?

Back (Answer)

What intermolecular forces of attraction do they have?

#6
Front (Question)

Are they soluble in water? Why?

Back (Answer)

No, non-polar bonds (van der Waals’ < hydrogen bonding)

#7
Front (Question)

Name and describe the three kinds of isomers alkenes can have

Back (Answer)

Chain isomers (branched chains) Position isomers (C=C on different carbon atom) Geometric E-Z isomers (Z is when 2 highest atomic number chains are on the same side of the double bond; E is when they're on opposite sides)

#8
Front (Question)

What is an electrophile?

Back (Answer)

Electron deficient atoms/ions which accept a pair of electrons (here, from the C=C double bond

#9
Front (Question)

What is the most stable kind of carbocation intermediate? Why?

Back (Answer)

Alkyl groups have a positive inductive effect, so the most stable carbonation is the one bonded to the most other carbon atoms i.e. A tertiary carbocation

#10
Front (Question)

Major products will be formed from which kinds of carbocations?

Back (Answer)

Tertiary (or the most stable avaliable)

#11
Front (Question)

What conditions are needed for the electrophilic addition of H2O to an alkene?

Back (Answer)

Acid catalyst, usually phosphoric acid

#12
Front (Question)

What are the product(s) of the reaction?

Back (Answer)

An alcohol

#13
Front (Question)

What conditions are needed for the electrophilic addition of a hydrogen halide to an alkene?

Back (Answer)

Room temperature

#14
Front (Question)

What conditions are needed for the electrophilic addition of a halogen molecule to an alkene?

Back (Answer)

Room temperature and organic solvent

#15
Front (Question)

How does a molecule with a non-polar bond react as if it is an electrophile?

Back (Answer)

C=C double bond with a high electron density induces a temporary dipole in the halogen molecule → δ+ atom attracted to double bond

#16
Front (Question)

How would you turn the product into an alcohol and how does show that sulfuric acid catalyses the addition of water to an alkene?

Back (Answer)

Add water H₂SO₄ reforms, showing it catalyses the hydration of alkenes

#17
Front (Question)

What is an addition polymer?

Back (Answer)

many monomers bonded together via rearrangement of bonds without the loss of any atom or molecule

#18
Front (Question)

What are monomers? What form do they usually take?

Back (Answer)

Molecules which combine to form a polymer Usually have a C=C bond which breaks to leave a repeating pattern

#19
Front (Question)

Give 3 uses of poly(chloroethene) / PVC

Back (Answer)

Drainpipes Vinyl Aprons

#20
Front (Question)

Give two examples of plasticisers

Back (Answer)

esters and phthalates

#21
Front (Question)

What are plasticisers?

Back (Answer)

Small molecules that get between polymer chains to force them apart and allow them to slide over one another

#22
Front (Question)

How do the physical properties of PVC change due to a plasticiser? What applications does this lead to?

Back (Answer)

PVC with a plasticiser become flexible, used for aprons Without a plasticiser, PVC is rigid, used for drainpipes

#23
Front (Question)

Why do things containing mainly C-C and C-H bonds not decompose easily?

Back (Answer)

Bonds are non-polar so are not attacked by enzymes

#24
Front (Question)

Why is a lack of biodegradability in compounds with C-C or C-H bonds a problem?

Back (Answer)

Disposal is very problematic