Chapter 21.3, Problem 20SSC

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The difference chemical properties of alkenes and alkynes from those of alkanes needs to be explained.

Concept introduction:

The hydrocarbon compounds contain compound that are made up of only hydrogen and carbon atoms.

Explanation of Solution

The hydrocarbon compounds that contains single bond(s) between carbon atom(s) are said to be saturated hydrocarbon whereas hydrocarbon compounds that contains multiple bond(s) between carbon atom(s) are said to be unsaturated hydrocarbon. Compounds containing single bonds are said to be alkane and compounds containing double bonds are said to be alkene whereas compounds containing triple bonds are said to be alkyne.

The alkenes and alkynes are very reactive due to presence of pi-bonds in comparison to the alkanes. Due to presence of $\pi$ electrons in alkenes and alkynes, they exhibit nucleophilic properties that is electron rich site in the compound, so, undergo addition reactions whereas alkanes are unreactive and only shows substitution reactions.