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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)

An unsaturated hydrocarbon 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 around a C=C bond ?

Back (Answer)

Due to the pi bond, there is electronegativity above and below the original bond - this prevents it from rotating.

#4
Front (Question)

Are alkenes more or less reactive than alkanes ?

Back (Answer)

They are more reactive, due to the high electronegativity of the the double bond and the pi bond is slightly easier to break.

#5
Front (Question)

What intermolecular forces of attraction do alkenes have ?

Back (Answer)

Only Van der Waals.

#6
Front (Question)

Are alkenes soluble in water ? Why ?

Back (Answer)

Insoluble as they have no polar bonds.

#7
Front (Question)

Name the three types of isomerism alkenes have.

Back (Answer)

Chain isomerism (branches) Position isomerism (C=C on different carbon molecule) Geometric E/Z isomerism.

#8
Front (Question)

Write the formula for the complete conbustion of pent-2-ene.

Back (Answer)

CH3CHCHCH2CH3 + 7.5O2 -> 5CO2 + 5H2O.

#9
Front (Question)

What is an electrophile ?

Back (Answer)

An electron deficient atom/ion which accept a pair of electrons, such as from a C=C.

#10
Front (Question)

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

Back (Answer)

Alkyl groups (C+) have a positive inductive effect, so the most stable version would be a tertiary (bonded to three other carbons ).

#11
Front (Question)

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

Back (Answer)

An acid catalyst, typically phosphoric acid.

#12
Front (Question)

What are the products of the electrophilic addition of H2O to an alkene ?

Back (Answer)

An alcohol.

#13
Front (Question)

Describe the mechanism for the electrophilic addition of H2O to an alkene.

Back (Answer)

• Arrow from C=C into a H+ ion • This forms a carbocation (C+), draw arrow from lone pair on H2O into cation • C-O bond forms making O+, draw arrow from an O-H bond into the O+ atom.

#14
Front (Question)

Draw a mechanism for the electrophilic addition of HBr and an alkene.

Back (Answer)

• Arrow from C=C to H on HBR, then arrow from H-Br bond to Br • This forms a carbocation, which the new Br- ion joins (arrow from Br- lone pair to C+).

#15
Front (Question)

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

Back (Answer)

Standard conditions and an organic solvent.

#16
Front (Question)

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

Back (Answer)

C=C bond with a high electron density induces a temporary dipole in the halogen -> d+ molecule attracted to double bond.

#17
Front (Question)

Describe/draw the mechanism for the electrophilic addition of Br2 to an alkene.

Back (Answer)

• Temporary dipole on Br2, one d+ one d-, induced by high electron density of C=C • Arrow from C=C to d+ Br, then a further arrow from Br-Br to the d- Br • This forms a carbocation, which the Br- ion joins (arrow from lone pair of Br- to C+).

#18
Front (Question)

Draw/describe the electrophilic addition reaction of sulphuric acid and an alkene.

Back (Answer)

• Arrow from C=C to the H of SOH, further arrow from O-H bond to O • This forms O- which has a lone pair and a carbocation • Draw arrow from lone pair of O- to the C+.

#19
Front (Question)

What forms if you add water to the product of the electrophilic addition of sulphuric acid to an alkene ?

Back (Answer)

It forms an alcohol.

#20
Front (Question)

What is an addition polymer ?

Back (Answer)

When many monomers are bonded together via the rearrangement or bonds - without losing any molecules.

#21
Front (Question)

What are monomers ? What form can they take ?

Back (Answer)

Molecules which combine to form a polymer, an example would be an alkene as the C=C breaks to form a repeating pattern.

#22
Front (Question)

How would you draw the polymerisation of ethene.

Back (Answer)

n CH2=CH2 -> n -[-CH-CH-]- .

#23
Front (Question)

Give three uses of poly(chloroethene) / PVC.

Back (Answer)

• Drainpipes • Vinyl • Aprons.

#24
Front (Question)

Give two examples of plasticisers.

Back (Answer)

Esters and phthalates.