alkene

[ al-keen ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. any member of the alkene series.

alkene

/ ˈælkiːn /

noun

1. 1. Also calledolefineolefin any unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon with the general formula C n H 2n
   2. Also calledolefine ( as modifier )

      alkene series

alkene

/ ăl′kēn′ /

1. Any of a group of unsaturated hydrocarbons that have carbon atoms in chains linked by one or more double bonds and that have the general formula C n H 2n . Lighter alkenes, such as ethylene, are derived from petroleum by cracking.
2. Also called olefin
3. ◆ The group of alkenes as a whole is called the alkene series or the ethylene series. Its first five members are ethylene (or ethene), propylene (or propene), butylene (or butene), pentene, and hexene.

Word History and Origins

Origin of alkene¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; alk(yl) + -ene

Example Sentences

The attachment of the alkene produces a transient reactive species, which then reacts with the alkyl halide to form the new C–C bond.

From Nature

Both isomers of the alkene mixture are thus eventually consumed to make the same product.

From Nature

Such approaches would reduce the energy intensity of alkene production by a factor of 2 or 3, until membranes become good enough to replace distillation entirely.

From Nature

I started my independent research looking at alkene polymerization; in particular, the polymerization of norbornene into poly-norbornene, which is often used as a test substrate for catalysis.

From Nature

Background Transition metal–catalyzed alkene metathesis has revolutionized organic synthesis during the last two decades, even though the commonly used catalysts do not provide kinetic control over the stereochemistry of the newly formed double bonds.

From Science Magazine