BRAINCAKEAddition Reactions
Alkenes are unsaturated: they contain a C=C double bond, so more atoms can be added to the molecule. Their typical reaction is addition, in which two reactant molecules join together to form a single product.
During addition the weaker π bond of the C=C breaks, and two new σ bonds form, one to each of the carbon atoms that were double bonded. The product is saturated. Because every atom of the reactants ends up in the one product, an addition reaction has an atom economy of 100%.
Sign in free to see the rest of this lesson, the R.E.C.I.P.E. recall steps and the quiz
BrainCake is free. Make an account in seconds and pick up where this page stops.
Key terms in this lesson
- atom economy
- The percentage of the total mass of reactants that ends up as the desired product in a reaction.
More in Alkenes
- Alkenes
- Bonding in Alkenes
- Hydrogenation
- Halogenation
- Hydration
- Addition of Hydrogen Halides
- Electrophile
- Nucleophile
All 19 lessons in Alkenes · All Edexcel AS-level Chemistry topics