What are the properties of alkanes and alkenes?

While alkanes and alkenes are both hydrocarbons, the primary difference is that alkanes are saturated molecules, containing only single covalent bonds (σ-bonds) between the carbon atoms whereas alkenes are unsaturated molecules containing a double covalent bond (combination of a π-bond and a σ-bond).

What are the physical properties of alkanes alkenes and alkynes?

Alkynes are nonpolar, unsaturated hydrocarbons with physical properties similar to alkanes and alkenes. Alkynes dissolve in organic solvents, have slight solubility in polar solvents, and are insoluble in water. Compared to alkanes and alkenes, alkynes have slightly higher boiling points.

What are the differences between alkene and alkane?

Both alkanes and alkenes are hydrocarbons, meaning they are made up of hydrogen and carbon only. However, alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons consisting of single bonds only whereas alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons which include a carbon-carbon double bond.

Are alkanes more reactive than alkenes?

Alkenes are a homologous series of hydrocarbons that contain a carbon-carbon double bond. This bond is why the alkenes are more reactive than the alkanes .

What are properties of alkanes?

Some important physical properties of alkanes are: Alkanes are colourless and odourless. They possess weak Van Der Waals forces of attraction. Alkanes having 1-4 carbon atoms are gases, then from 5-17 carbon atoms they are liquid and alkanes having 18 or more carbon atoms are solid at 298K.

Are alkanes acidic or basic?

Second, the carbon‐hydrogen bonds make alkane molecules neither acidic nor basic because the electronegativity of both elements is very similar. This similarity gives the carbonhydrogen bond little polarity, and without polarity, proton loss is difficult. Thus, alkanes make poor acids.

Do alkanes and alkenes have the same physical properties?

When alkenes are compared with alkanes, it is found that the boiling points of both are almost similar, as if the compounds are made up of the same carbon skeleton. The boiling point of straight-chain alkenes is more that branched-chain alkenes just as in alkanes.

Why are alkynes more acidic than alkenes?

An alkyne is an unsaturated hydrocarbon with at least one carbon—carbon triple bond in organic chemistry. The alkynes are more electronegative due to the presence of more character. Hydrogen atoms can therefore be liberated as protons more readily in Ethyne. Hence, alkynes are more acidic than alkanes and alkenes.

Why is it important to distinguish between alkanes and alkenes?

The main differences between alkanes and alkene are their functional groups and degree of unsaturation. Alkanes are known as saturated hydrocarbons. Alkenes are known unsaturated hydrocarbons as it contains a C=C bond in its structure. Alkanes does not contain any pi bonds or double bonds in its structure.

Why are alkenes less stable than alkanes?

Alkenes are relatively stable compounds, but are more reactive than alkanes because of the reactivity of the carbon–carbon π-bond. Most reactions of alkenes involve additions to this π bond, forming new single bonds. The double bond of an alkene consists of a sigma (σ) bond and a pi (π) bond.

How do alkanes and alkenes differ in their molecular structures?

Main difference is that alkanes have single bonds, alkenes have double bonds and alkynes have triple bonds in their structure.

What are the chemical properties of alkene?

Unsaturated alkenes compounds are highly reactive. They form a double bond between carbon-carbon atoms which makes them less stable due to loosely held pi bonds. Alkene group reacts with halogens such as bromine, chlorine except for iodine as it’s an exception and it does not react in normal conditions.

What’s the difference between an alkane and an alkene?

Alkanes and Alkenes While alkanes and alkenes are both hydrocarbons, the primary difference is that alkanes are saturated molecules, containing only single covalent bonds (σ-bonds) between the carbon atoms whereas alkenes are unsaturated molecules containing a double covalent bond (combination of a π-bond and a σ-bond).

Why are alkanes a homologous series of hydrocarbons?

The alkanes are a homologous series of hydrocarbons. This means that they have similar chemical properties to each other and they have trends in physical properties. For example, as the chain length increases, their boiling point increases.

How are cycloalkanes similar to alkanes in reactivity?

Cycloalkanes are very similar to the alkanes in reactivity, except for the very small cycloalkanes, especially cyclopropane. Cyclopropane is much more reactive than what is expected because of the bond angles in the ring. Normally, when carbon forms four single bonds, the bond angles are approximately 109.5°.

Why are alkanes inert to many chemical reagents?

Alkanes are inert to many chemical reagents. This is because Carbon–Carbon (C-C) and Carbon – Hydrogen (C-H) bonds are quite strong since Carbon and Hydrogen atoms have nearly the same electronegativity values. Therefore, it is very difficult to break their bonds, unless they are heated to fairly high temperatures.