Alkenes: Structure, Synthesis, Physical and Chemical Properties

A set of practice vocabulary flashcards covering the structure, nomenclature, physical properties, synthesis, and various chemical reactions of alkenes based on the lecture notes.

Alkenes (Olefins)

Unsaturated hydrocarbons containing at least one carbon-carbon double bond ($C=C$) with the general formula $C_nH_{2n}$.

Unsaturated Hydrocarbons

Compounds with double or triple carbon-carbon bonds that enable them to add hydrogen atoms.

Sigma ($\sigma$) bond

In alkenes, the bond resulting from the overlap of one $sp^2$ orbital from each carbon atom.

Pi ($\pi$) bond

The second bond in a double bond formed by the overlap of two $2p$ orbitals.

Alkenyl groups

Naming convention for alkenes when they act as substituents, such as vinyl, allyl, methylene, and phenyl groups.

cis isomer

A geometric isomer where two particular atoms or groups of atoms are adjacent to each other on the same side of the double bond.

trans isomer

A geometric isomer where two particular atoms or groups of atoms are across from each other on opposite sides of the double bond.

Saytzeff rule

A rule stating that a reaction producing an alkene will favor the formation of the alkene that has the greatest number of substituents attached to the $C=C$ group.

Markovnikov Rule

In the addition of $H-X$ to an alkene, the $H$ attaches to the less substituted carbon (the one with the most hydrogen atoms).

Halohydrin

A $1,2$-halo alcohol formed by the addition of $HO-X$ to an alkene, using a dihalogen ($Br_2$ or $Cl_2$) in the presence of water.

Oxymercuration-Demercuration

A laboratory-scale hydration method that produces a Markovnikov alcohol via a mercurinium ion without carbocation rearrangement.

Hydroboration-Oxidation

A hydration reaction where $OH$ is added to the carbon with the most hydrogens (Anti-Markovnikov) with syn stereochemistry.

Catalytic Hydrogenation

The reduction of alkenes by the addition of $H-H$ across the $C=C$ bond using catalysts like $Pt$ or $Pd$ powders.

Epoxidation

An oxidation reaction of an alkene that results in a cyclic ether with an oxygen atom via syn addition.

Hydroxylation

The conversion of an alkene to a syn-diol using osmium tetroxide ($OsO_4$) and sodium bisulfite.

Ozonolysis

The cleavage of alkenes using ozone ($O_3$) to form an ozonide, which can be reduced to ketones and/or aldehydes.

Permanganate Oxidation

The cleavage of alkenes using potassium permanganate ($KMnO_4$) which can produce carboxylic acids and carbon dioxide if hydrogens are present on the $C=C$ bond.