Alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons with the general formula CnH2n. They contain the carbon-carbon double bond, C=C in their structures and are named with the suffix -ene.
Alkenes are much more reactive than the alkanes because the C=C bond contains delocalized π cloud electrons which can attract electrophiles (positive charged particles) or even induce dipoles, thereby creating electrophiles in some nearby particles. Alkenes typically undergo Electrophilic Addition reactions such as:
- Addition of H2(g)
- Addition of H2O(g)
- Addition of Halogens, X2(g)
- Addition of Aqueous Halogens, X2(aq)
- Addition of Hydrogen Halides, HX(g)
It is important that students understand the Electrophilic Addition Mechanism in order to predict the likely products after an alkene undergo Electrophilic Addition Reactions with added reagents.
In the video below, you will learn the 2 Steps involved in Electrophilic Addition Mechanism using ethene, C2H4, a symmetrical alkene reacting with Br2 (dissolved in CCl4).
Length of video: 5.11 mins
Direct video link: https://youtu.be/dd19JwDaWYM
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