Reactions of Alkenes

• Alkenes react via addition reactions
• A functional group is a group of atoms in a molecule that determine how that molecule typically reacts
• All alkenes have the functional group 'C=C', so they all react in similar ways
• Most of the time alkenes react via addition reactions. The C=C double bond will open up to leave a single bond and a new atom is added to each carbon
• Alkenes are a homologous series because they all have the same functional group and react in similar ways
• Addition of hydrogen is known as hydrogenation
• Addition reactions of alkenes consist of combining with another molecule forming one larger molecule