SubjectCover

Question 79 of 185 in Introduction to Organic Chemistry

Coding for the type of compound

2 marks · Easy

Explain how you can tell from its name that but-2-ene belongs to the alkene family and not the alkane family.

Work this out on paper, then compare with the answer and worked solution below. With a free account you can submit written answers for marking.

Show answer

The name ends with 'ene', which shows it is an alkene (contains a C=C double bond), not an alkane. 'Alkanes' have names ending in 'ane' and only single bonds, but-2-ene has a double bond at the second carbon.

Also accept: Names ending in 'ene' mean alkene, so but-2-ene is not an alkane.

Common mistakes: Thinking any four-carbon compound is an alkane; Not mentioning double bond

Show mark scheme and worked solution

Marking points

M1 · 1 mark · Recognises the 'ene' ending as indicating alkene family or a C=C double bond.

M2 · 1 mark · Distinguishes this from alkanes, which end with 'ane' and have only single carbon bonds.

Worked solution

The name 'but-2-ene' ends in 'ene', which is the ending for alkenes, not alkanes (which end in 'ane'). Also, 'ene' means there is a carbon–carbon double bond. Therefore, but-2-ene belongs to the alkene family.

Report a problem with this question
What's wrong?
CHEMISTRY question: Coding for the type of compound | SubjectCover