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13. 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 a pi bond?

Back (Answer)

the sideways overlap of the 2 p orbitals creating electron density above and below the plane of atoms

#2
Front (Question)

Can C=C double bonds rotate?

Back (Answer)

no <3

#3
Front (Question)

What is the double bond in alkenes?

Back (Answer)

an area of localised high electron density which attracts electrophiles

#4
Front (Question)

What is the relative strength of pi to sigma bonds

Back (Answer)

pi is weaker so is relatively easy to break

#5
Front (Question)

What is the bond angle around a C=C bond?

Back (Answer)

120 degrees because there are 3 bonded regions around each atom and they repel as far apart as possible all atoms are in the same plane

#6
Front (Question)

Define a stereoisomer

Back (Answer)

isomers have the same structural formula, but the atoms occupy a different position in space

#7
Front (Question)

Why does E/Z isomerism occur?

Back (Answer)

due to the restricted rotation of C=C bonds

#8
Front (Question)

What is the difference between E/Z and cis/trans isomerism?

Back (Answer)

E/Z just must contain a C=C bond where each carbon is bonded to 2 different groups cis/trans requires one of those groups to be a the same on each carbon

#9
Front (Question)

How does cis/trans relate to E/Z ?

Back (Answer)

cis=Z : same side of C=C trans=E : opposite side of C=C

#10
Front (Question)

Define an electrophile

Back (Answer)

an electron pair acceptor : usually possesses a d+ dipole or positive charge somewhere in its structure

#11
Front (Question)

Why does a pi bond attract an electrophile?

Back (Answer)

a pi bond is an area of high electron density and an electrophile wants to “accept” those electrons

#12
Front (Question)

What is a C=C bond made of?

Back (Answer)

a sigma bond and a pi bond, with the electron density above and below the plane of the sigma bond

#13
Front (Question)

What are the conditions for the hydrogenation of alkenes?

Back (Answer)

alkene + hydrogen + nickel/platinum catalyst @ 423K

#14
Front (Question)

How do you test for unsaturation?

Back (Answer)

bromine water

#15
Front (Question)

addition reactions of alkenes with halides

Back (Answer)

learn

#16
Front (Question)

What are the conditions for reaction of alkene hydration to alcohols?

Back (Answer)

alkene + steam + phosphoric acid catalyst

#17
Front (Question)

What breaks in electrophilic addition?

Back (Answer)

the pi bond

#18
Front (Question)

How does a dipole become induced in Br2 in electrophilic addition?

Back (Answer)

as the Br2 approaches the area of high electron density around the C=C bond, the electrons of the Br2 molecule move as far away as possible, creating a d +ve charge at the end of the molecule closer to the alkene

#19
Front (Question)

Where should the + go on a forming carbocation to get the major product?

Back (Answer)

on the carbon bonded to the most other carbons

#20
Front (Question)

Which is the most stable carbocation?

Back (Answer)

tertiary

#21
Front (Question)

Why is a tertiary carbocation always the major product when possible?

Back (Answer)

it is the most stable so is formed more readily

#22
Front (Question)

What are the conditions for the dehydration of alcohols to alkenes?

Back (Answer)

alcohol + conc. sulphuric/phosphoric acid + reflux

#23
Front (Question)

What are the problems with polymers?

Back (Answer)

unreactive and non-biodegradable (carbon chain is non-polar and covalent bonds are strong) adds to landfill problem on disposal

#24
Front (Question)

How can we dispose polymers safely/less dangerously? (4 ways)

Back (Answer)

recycling : but is high cost burn waste : saves landfill and produces energy purification: toxic fumes can be removed from burnt chlorinated polymers feedstock : reuse polymers as useful organic compounds