Alkenes

Topic 2.
9
ALKENES
Structure and bonding in alkenes
E-Z stereoisomerism
Electrophilic addition reactions of alkenes
Other addition reactions of alkenes
ALKENES
1. Structure and bonding in alkenes
Alkenes are hydrocarbons containing a carbon-carbon double bond. The atoms around
the carbon-carbon double bond adopt a planar arrangement and the bond angle is
120o.
H
H
C
C
H
2. E-Z stereoisomerism
In double bonds, the first bond involves an overlap of atomic orbitals directly in
between the nuclei of the two atoms:
This is known as a -bond. All single covalent bonds are -bonds.

The second bond, however, cannot bond in the same place. Instead two p-orbitals
overlap above and below the internuclear axis:
This is known as a -bond. All double covalent bonds consist of one -bond and one
-bond.
Since these orbitals overlap in two places, it is not possible to rotate a -bond about its
axis without breaking the bonds. There is thus restricted rotation about the double
bond. If both carbon atoms on either side of the bond are attached to different groups,
then two different structures arise which cannot be interconverted. This is known as
E-Z isomerism
Stereoisomers are molecules with the same molecular formula and the same
arrangement of covalent bonds but with different spatial orientations of the
groups.
E-Z stereoisomers (also called geometrical isomers) are stereoisomers with different
spatial orientations around the carbon-carbon double bond.
It is caused by the restricted rotation about a carbon-carbon double bond.
It arises when the carbon atoms on both sides of the bond are attached two different
groups.
Eg but-2-ene has two geometrical isomers:
CH3
CH3
CH3
C
H
H
C
CH3
These two isomers cannot be interconverted without breaking the -bond.

In cases where both C atoms are attached to one hydrogen atom, it is possible to
distinguish the isomers by a simple prefix.
If both hydrogen atoms are on the same side of the molecule, the prefix Z is used.
If the hydrogen atoms are on different sides of the molecule, the prefix E is used.
CH3
CH3
C
H
CH3
H
C
C
H
Z-but-2-ene
C
CH3
E-but-2-ene
It is only possible to name geometrical isomers using Z and E prefixes if both carbon
atoms are attached to a hydrogen atom.
Note that molecules which show geometrical isomerism always have two specific
structural features:
- there is a carbon-carbon double bond
- both the carbon atoms are attached to two different groups.
Geometrical isomers should always be drawn using crab notation. Crab notation
shows the C=C bond as a planar centre with the 4 groups shown as follows:
C
Using crab notation, it is easy to predict whether geometrical isomerism will exist in
molecules.
Ethene
Propene
CH3
But-1-ene
C2H5
CH3
H
CH3
H
CH3
H
C
CH2CH2CH3
H
H
C
Geometrical isomerism
C2H5
CH3
CH3
CH3
CH3
H
H
C
H
No geometrical isomerism
CH3
3-methylbut-1-ene
C2H5
2-methylbut-2-ene
2-methylbut-1-ene
CH3
Pent-2-ene
Geometrical isomerism
Pent-1-ene
2-methylpropene
But-2-ene
C
CH(CH3)2
3. Chemical properties of alkenes

The presence of the C=C bond gives alkenes a number of chemical properties that are
not seen in alkanes.
i)
Since the alkene contains -bonds, it is possible to break the -bond and form
-bonds with other species without forcing any atoms on the molecule to
break off. As a result alkenes (unlike alkanes) are capable of undergoing
addition reactions. Molecules which contain -bonds and which can hence
undergo addition are said to be unsaturated. Molecules which do not contain
-bonds and which hence cannot undergo addition are said to be saturated.
Alkenes are unsaturated and can hence undergo addition. Addition is the
combination of two or more molecules to form a single molecule. Addition
reactions are generally faster than substitution reactions since only weak bonds are broken, rather than stronger -bonds.
ii)
The -bond in an alkene is an area of high electron density. It can thus attract
electrophiles and undergo heterolytic fission. Heterolytic fission is the
breaking of a covalent bond which results in both electrons going to the
same atom. This is in contrast to alkanes which can only react with free
radicals and undergo homolytic fission. An electrophile is a species which
can accept a pair of electrons from a species with a high electron density.
The fact that alkenes can react by heterolytic mechanisms, however, does not mean
that the -bond will not undergo homolytic fission as well. On the contrary - since the
bond is non-polar it is very likely to undergo homolytic fission.
Alkenes can thus react in two ways:
- by free radical addition
- by electrophilic addition
The ability of alkenes to undergo addition, and their ability to react with electrophiles
as well as free radicals, means that they are much more reactive than alkanes.
4. Electrophilic addition reactions of alkenes
In the presence of electrophiles, the C=C -bond tends to undergo electrophilic
addition.
Possible electrophiles are hydrogen halides (H-Cl, H-Br and H-I) and halogens
(Br-Br, Cl-Cl and I-I). Alkenes also undergo an electrophilic addition reaction with
H2SO4.
i)
with hydrogen halides
Eg CH2=CH2 + H-Br CH3CH2Br

The H in the H-X bond has a positive dipole and is attacked by the pair of electrons
on the C=C bond, which undergoes heterolytic fission:
C
C
+
H
X
Note that the curly arrow indicates the movement of a pair of electrons.
The halide ion then attacks the carbocation to form a haloalkane:
H
:X
C
-
C
X
This reaction is fairly quick and takes place readily at room temperature.
ii)
with halogens
Eg CH2=CH2 + Br2 CH2BrCH2Br

The Br-Br molecule is non-polar but in the presence of alkenes the electrons move to
one side of the molecule and it acquires a temporary dipole (in other words a dipole is
induced by the alkene). The +ve Br is then attacked by the alkene:
C
C
C
+
Br
Br
Br
Br
Br
C
: Br
Br
C
Br
A dibromoalkane is formed. The Br2 should be dissolved in water or an organic

solvent, and is decolorised during the reaction. (orange colourless).
The reaction is fairly quick and takes place readily at room temperature.
If bromine solution is added to an alkene and the mixture shaken, it will thus
decolorise and this is a good test for an alkene.
iii)
with H2SO4
eg CH2=CH2 + H2SO4 CH3CH2HSO4

Alkenes will undergo an electrophilic addition reaction with cold concentrated
sulphuric acid:
C
C
C
+
H
O
S
OH
..
OO
O
O
O
S
OH
S
OH
If the mixture is then warmed and water added, the H2SO4 group will be replaced by
an OH group and an alcohol will be formed:
C
H
O
S
HO
O
O
H
O
O H
O
S
This is known as a hydrolysis reaction. Hydrolysis means using water to break

covalent bonds.
The overall reaction is thus:
O H
O
H
This is a two step reaction:

Step 1: cold concentrated H2SO4
Step 2: warm and add H2O
It is a useful way of converting alkenes into alcohols in the laboratory.
O
O
5. Unsymmetrical alkenes
Unsymmetrical alkenes are those in which the two carbon atoms in the double bond
are not attached to the same groups.
Eg propene
Eg but-1-ene
H
H
C
H
C
CH3
Eg 2-methylpropene
H
C
C
CH2CH3
Eg 2-methylbut-1-ene
CH3
CH3
CH3
C
CH2CH3
Alkenes in which both carbon atoms are attached to the same groups are known as
symmetrical alkenes.
Eg ethene
Eg but-2-ene
H
H
C
CH3
C
H
C
CH3
If unsymmetrical alkenes react with unsymmetrical eletrophiles such as H-X or

H2SO4, there are two possible products:
Eg propene with hydrogen bromide
Route 1:
H3C
H
C
C
H
H3C
C
H
..
Br
Br
Br
Propene
CH3 H
2-bromopropane
Route 2:
H3C
H
C
CH3 H
C
H
..
Br
Br
Propene
CH3 H
Br
1-bromopropane
The two products are not formed in equal quantities. The likelihood of one product
being formed over the other depends on the stability of the carbocation
intermediate.
In route 1, the intermediate is a secondary carbocation, as the carbon holding the
positive charged is attached to two other carbon atoms:
H3C
C
H
In route 2, the intermediate is a primary carbocation, as the carbon holding the

positive charge is attached to one other carbon atom:
CH3 H
H
Secondary carbocations are more stable than primary carbocations. Tertiary

carbocations are even more stable than secondary cations. Therefore the product of
route 1 (2-bromopropane) is a more likely product than the product of route 2 (1bromopropane).
Thus 2-bromopropane will be the major product and 1-bromopropane will be the
minor product.
In general, the more stable carbocation will be the one which is more highly
substituted. The more electronegative part of the electrophile will thus always attach
itself to the more highly substituted carbon atom.
This is known as Markownikoff's rule: "The more electronegative part of the
electrophile will usually attach itself to the more highly substituted carbon atom".
The major product of the addition reaction is known as the Markownikoff product.
The minor product of the addition reaction is known as the anti-Markownikoff
product.
Eg but-1-ene + HBr
H
CH3CH2
C
H
CH3CH2
CH3CH2
H
H
H
C
C
H
H
H
Br
CH3CH2
The minor product is 1-bromobutane.
Br
CH3CH2
H
C
H
..
Br
primary carbocation
The major product is 2-bromobutane.
major product
secondary carbocation
CH3CH2
H
..
Br
Br
Br
minor product
Eg 2-methylbut-2-ene + H2SO4, then warm and dilute

H
CH3
C
CH3
CH3
CH3
H
C
+
CH3
S
CH3
C
+
H
O
CH3
CH3
secondary carbocation
OH
CH3
CH3
minor product
The minor product is 3-methylbutan-2-ol

Symmetrical alkenes only give one product when elecrophiles are added.
Unsymmetrical alkenes only give one product if the electrophile is symmetrical
(Eg propene Br2).
Thus two products are only obtained when both the alkene and the electrophile are
unsymmetrical. In such cases the identity of the major and minor products can be
predicted by Markownikoff's rule.
6. Other addition reactions of alkenes
addition of steam (hydration)
When alkenes are treated with steam at 300 oC, a pressure of 60 atmospheres and a
phosphoric acid (H3PO4) catalyst, the H2O is added across the double bond and an
alcohol is formed in a reaction known as hydration:
H
O
OH CH3
The major product is 2-methylbutan-2-ol
a)
major product
CH3
CH3
H
CH3
tertiary carbocation
CH3
C
CH3
CH3
CH3 H
OH
Eg CH2=CH2 + H2O CH3CH2OH

This is a common industrial method for the production of pure ethanol.
b)
addition polymerisation
Alkenes can be made to join together in the presence of high pressure and a suitable
catalyst. This is known as addition polmerisation.
C
n
The product of this addition process is a very long hydrocarbon chain. This is known
as a polymer. Since it is a product of an addition reaction (unlike some other
polymers) it is known as an addition polymer. Since it is made from an alkene it is
known as a polyalkene.
Polyalkenes are saturated, like alkanes. They are therefore unreactive.
Addition polymers can be made from any alkene:
H
n
H
C
C
H
Eg ethene
poly(ethene)
Polyethene is most widely used in plastic shopping bags.

H
CH3
H
n
CH3
Eg propene
poly(propene)
Polypropene is used in biros, straws and plastic food containers. It can be recycled
commercially.
C2H5
H
C2H5
H
C
C
n
C
C
H
H
n
H
H
Eg but-1-ene
poly(but-1-ene)
CH3
CH3
H
n
C
H
CH3
CH3 H
Eg but-2-ene
poly(but-2-ene)
CH3 H
CH3
n
H
C
CH3
Eg 2-methylpropene
CH3 H
poly(2-methylpropene)
7. Summary of addition reactions of alkenes

a) Alkene polyalkene
Conditions: high p.
Equation:
C
n
Type of reaction: addition polymerisation

b) Alkene halogenoalkane
Reagent: HX(g)
Conditions: room T
Equation:
Br
Br
Mechanism: electrophilic addition

c) Alkene dihalogenoalkane
Reagent: X2 in water or in an organic solvent
Conditions: room T
Equation:
Br
Br
Br
Br

d) Alkene alkylhydrogensulphate
Reagent: concentrated sulphuric acid
Conditions: cold
Equation:
OSO3H
OSO3H

f) Alkene alcohol
Reagent: steam
Conditions: 300 oC, 60 atm, H3 PO4 catalyst
Equation:
Type of reaction: hydration
OH

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Topic 2.

This is known as a -bond. All single covalent bonds are -bonds.

These two isomers cannot be interconverted without breaking the -bond.

3. Chemical properties of alkenes

with hydrogen halides

Eg CH2=CH2 + H-Br CH3CH2Br

Eg CH2=CH2 + Br2 CH2BrCH2Br

A dibromoalkane is formed. The Br2 should be dissolved in water or an organic

eg CH2=CH2 + H2SO4 CH3CH2HSO4

This is known as a hydrolysis reaction. Hydrolysis means using water to break

This is a two step reaction:

If unsymmetrical alkenes react with unsymmetrical eletrophiles such as H-X or

In route 2, the intermediate is a primary carbocation, as the carbon holding the

Secondary carbocations are more stable than primary carbocations. Tertiary

The minor product is 1-bromobutane.

The major product is 2-bromobutane.

Eg 2-methylbut-2-ene + H2SO4, then warm and dilute

The minor product is 3-methylbutan-2-ol

The major product is 2-methylbutan-2-ol

Eg CH2=CH2 + H2O CH3CH2OH

Polyethene is most widely used in plastic shopping bags.

7. Summary of addition reactions of alkenes

Type of reaction: addition polymerisation

Mechanism: electrophilic addition

Mechanism: electrophilic addition

Mechanism: electrophilic addition

Type of reaction: hydration

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