• Unsaturated chemical compound

containing at least one carbon-

carbon double bond, where
rotation about the C=C is very
difficult.

• To show the presence of the

double bond, the –ane suffix from
the alkane name is changed to –
ene.
 Geometric Isomerism
• Cis-trans isomerism
-isomers that have same order
of atom attachment but a
different arrangement of
their atoms in space.
 General Formula

CnH2n
• where n is the number of
carbon atoms in the
molecule
 Physical Properties
• Physical state -The first lower
member like ethene, propene and
butene are colorless gases.
•  Density - lighter than water.  
• Solubility - insoluble in water and
soluble in nonpolar organic solvents.
• more reactive than alkanes due to
their double carbon-carbon bond.
• Boiling point -The boiling points
of alkenes gradually increase with
an increase in the molecular
mass.
•  The cis isomer ( example cis-2-
butene, b.p.= 3.7°C) is higher in
bpt than its trans isomers
(example, trans-2-butene, b.p.=
1°C) 
• Melting point 
The melting points of alkenes
increase with an increase in
the molecular mass.
 Natural Sources
• Isolated from petroleum.
• Plant material like plant
hormone, like Ethylene – a
natural ripening agent and
Terpenes – found in essential oil.
 Some Common Alkene Polymers and their Uses

•Ethylene H2C=CH2 Polyethene, Polythene Packaging, cable

insulation, films and sheets
•Tetrafluoroethene F2C=CF2 Polytetrafluoroethene, PTFE,
Teflon Coatings, gaskets.
•Chloroethene (vinyl chloride) H2C=CHCl Polyvinyl chloride,
PVC, Tedlar Insulation, films, pipes
•Styrene H2C=CHC6H5 Polystyrene, Styron Foam for packaging
etc.
•Vinyl acetate H2C=CHOCOCH3 poly(vinyl acetate), PVA
•Paints, adhesives.