Alkenes are less stable than alkanes, but they are more reactive.

The
majority of alkene reactions involve additions to this pi bond, resulting
in new single bonds. Because alkenes may participate in a wide range of
processes, including polymerization and alkylation, they are used as a
feedstock in the petrochemical industry.
Alkenes, with the exception of ethylene, contain two reactivity sites:
the carbon–carbon pi-bond and the presence of allylic CH centers. The
former is more crucial, although the allylic site is also important.