Alkenes
Alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons.
Unsaturated - contains a C=C
The Double Bond:
The Carbon=Carbon is formed from two types of bonds:
sigma bond
pi bond
Sigma Bond: This is a type of bond present in all bonds. In an alkene it is formed between the two carbons.
Pi Bond: The pi bond is formed from the overlap of p-orbitals and forms above & below the sigma bond
It is the pi bond which provides the double bond with its reactiveness and fixes the carbon atoms in place causing restricted rotation.
Shape of the Alkene molecule:
The alkene molecule adopts the trigonal planar shape as there are three regions of electron density around the carbon atom. Therefore, the electron pairs must repel each other as far as possible. So, alkenes also have a bond angle of 120 degrees.
Reactivity of the C=C bond:
The C=C bond is more reactive than a C-C bond because of the additional pi bonds.
Bond enthalpies show that a C=C bond is stronger than a C-C bond and that a pi bond is weaker than a sigma bond.
This is because the bond enthalpy of C=C bond is less than twice of C-C bond.















