The Student Room Group
Uni students - Complete our survey >>
Uni students - Complete our survey >>
Uni students - Complete our survey >>

A level Chemistry

if double bonds C=C are stronger than single bonds C-C, why are unsaturated hydrocarbons more reactive then saturated hydrocarbons?
Original post by summer044
if double bonds C=C are stronger than single bonds C-C, why are unsaturated hydrocarbons more reactive then saturated hydrocarbons?


When an unsaturated hydrocarbon reacts only the pi component of the double bond breaks.

If a C=C double bond has a bond enthalpy of 602 kJ mol-1....
... and C-C has a bond enthalpy of 346 kJ

Then logically the pi component has a bond enthalpy of 602 - 346 = 256 kJ.

Which is much weaker than a single C-C bond.
Reply 2
Avatar for TrES2b
TrES2b
OP
18
Original post by charco
When an unsaturated hydrocarbon reacts only the pi component of the double bond breaks.

If a C=C double bond has a bond enthalpy of 602 kJ mol-1....
... and C-C has a bond enthalpy of 346 kJ

Then logically the pi component has a bond enthalpy of 602 - 346 = 256 kJ.

Which is much weaker than a single C-C bond.

thank you so much, this makes so much sense now. the two statements seemed kind of conflicting but thank you once again for being able to clear that up.
Original post by summer044
thank you so much, this makes so much sense now. the two statements seemed kind of conflicting but thank you once again for being able to clear that up.

:borat:

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Latest

Trending

Trending

Articles for you