1_Reactivity_of_Alkenes_and_Alkynes

Alkenes

Unsaturated hydrocarbons containing at least one carbon-carbon double bond (C=C).

Hydrohalogenation

Addition reaction where H-X (with X being a halogen) is added across a double bond of an alkene.

Markovnikov Rule

In the addition of HX to an alkene, hydrogen adds to the carbon with more hydrogen substituents.

Hydration

The addition of water (H and OH) to a double bond, typically following Markovnikov's rule.

Hydroboration-Oxidation

An anti-Markovnikov reaction that adds water across the double bond, leading to an alcohol.

Catalytic Hydrogenation

The addition of hydrogen (H2) across a double bond, typically requiring a metal catalyst.

Halogenation

The addition of halogen atoms (Cl2 or Br2) across a C=C double bond leading to vicinal dihalides.

Dihydroxylation

The addition of two hydroxyl groups (OH) across the double bond.

Ozonolysis

A reaction in which an alkene is cleaved by ozone (O3) to form carbonyl compounds.

Chiral Center

A carbon atom that is bonded to four different groups, leading to non-superimposable mirror images (enantiomers).

Regioselectivity

The preference of one direction of chemical bond formation over all other possible directions.

Stereospecificity

A reaction in which the spatial arrangement of the reactant determines the spatial arrangement of the products.

Epoxide

A three-membered cyclic ether formed from the reaction of alkenes with peroxy acids.

Anti-Dihydroxylation

The addition of two hydroxyl groups with anti stereochemistry across the double bond.

Syn-Dihydroxylation

The addition of two hydroxyl groups with syn stereochemistry across the double bond.

Vinyl Chloride

An important alkene used in the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a common plastic.

Polymers

Large molecules made up of repeating structural units (monomers), typically derived from alkenes.

Allicin

A naturally occurring acyclic alkene responsible for the odor of garlic.

Geraniol

A cyclic alkene isolated from roses, commonly used in perfumes.

α-Farnesene

A natural alkene found in the waxy coating on apple skins.

Bromonium Ion

A reactive intermediate formed during the bromination of alkenes, leading to anti addition.

Carbocation

A positively charged carbon species that is an important intermediate in many reactions of alkenes.