Reactions of Alkenes

• Why are Alkenes more reactive than alkanes?

  Due to the C=C bonds
• Alkenes react with oxygen in comubstion reactions
• Why do alkanes tend to burn with smokier flames than alkanes?

  Incomplete combustion
• Hydrogen can be added to alkenes to produce alkanes - A nickel catalyst is used
• Propene + Hydrogen ---> Propane - The symbol equation for this reaction is : C₃H₆ + H₂ --> C₃H₈ - This reaction is an addition reaction
• Ethanol can be produced by reacting ethene with steam in the presence of a catalyst , which is phosphoric acid
• Ethene + steam ---> ethanol - The symbol equation for this reaction is : C₂H₄ + H₂O --> C₂H₅OH - This reaction is an addition reaction