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What is an Alkene?

Alkenes are organic molecules that form an homologous series
with the general formula CnH2n.

Methene, CH2, does not exist. Butene, C4H8, has n=4.
Ethene, C2H4, has n=2. Pentene, C5H10, has n=5.
Propene, C3H6, has n=3. Hexene, C6H12, has n=6.

Below are links to the structure of alkenes.
Some of these exist as isomers.

Ethene         Propene

Butene       Pentene       Hexene

Alkenes are hydrocarbons which have at least one
double bond between two of the carbon atoms.
They do not have the maximum number of hydrogen atoms
for the number of carbon atoms present
(they have two less than the same alkane)
and so alkenes are called unsaturated hydrocarbons.

See also the uses of alkenes.

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