BRAINCAKEPhysical Properties of Alkenes
Alkenes are almost non-polar: C and H have very similar electronegativities, and the C=C bond is between two identical atoms. So the only forces between alkene molecules are weak van der Waals forces (induced dipole-dipole forces).
Boiling point increases as the carbon chain gets longer. Bigger molecules have more electrons and a larger surface area, so the van der Waals forces between them are stronger and more energy is needed to separate the molecules:
ethene –104 °C propene –47 °C but-1-ene –6 °C pent-1-ene 30 °C
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More in Alkenes
- Bonding
- Position Isomerism
- Geometric Isomerism
- Nomenclature (Cahn-Ingold-Prelog)
- Combustion
- Electrophiles
- Electrophilic Addition
- Reaction with Halogens
All 23 lessons in Alkenes · All AQA AS-level Chemistry topics