Alkenes and Alkanes

1. Alkenes and Alkanes Alkanes have a single bond and their main source is from crude oil. Alkanes have a double bond. They are Hydrocarbons. They are formed by Cracking.

2. SATURATED OR UNSATURATED • ALKANES are have single bonds and are described as SATURATED • ALKENES are hydrocarbons with a double bond and are described as UNSATURATED

3. PROPERTIES OF ALKANES • The first four are gases at room temperature. • Alkanes with 5-17 carbon atoms are liquids. • Alkanes with 18 or more carbon atoms are solids. • As the number of carbon atoms increases, the melting points, boiling points and densities increases. • They are insoluble in water but dissolve in organic solvents such as benzene. • Their chemical reactivity is poor. The C-C bond and C-H bond are very strong so • Alkanes are not very reactive.

4. PROPERTIES OF ALKENES • Like Alkanes, the boiling point, melting point and densities increase with larger size molecules. • They are insoluble in water. • They combust like Alkanes to produce carbon dioxide and water. • However, they burn with sootier flames due to their higher percentage of carbon content to hydrogen. • Chemically, alkenes are more reactive than Alkanes. • This is because they possess a double bond that can be broken open and added to in a reaction.

5. CRACKING ALKANES • Cracking breaks down molecules into smaller ones. Catalysts or heat may be used to crack the Alkanechain into smaller ones.