Chapter 4: Types of Organic Compounds, Nomenclature, and Basic Reactions: Alkenes, Cycloalkenes, and Other Unsaturated Hydrocarbons

Alkenes are organic compounds constructed from just carbon and hydrogen (hydrocarbons) but, unlike alkanes, they are unsaturated. They are represented by the general formula C_nH_2n. Hence they have at least two carbons making a C=C double bond through sp² hybridisation. Other unsaturated forms of hydrocarbons are represented by cycloalkenes and arenes or aromatic hydrocarbons, while alkynes are compounds that feature triple bonding between two sp-hybridised carbon atoms. These unsaturated hydrocarbons are more reactive than alkanes/cycloalkanes although most of the reactions are addition reactions. Their nomenclature, types of reactions involved, and prediction of the reaction yields are topics addressed in this chapter.