ABSTRACT
Alkenes are defined by the carbon–carbon double-bond functional group. The carbon–carbon double bond is created through the facial overlap of p-orbitals, which imparts two important properties. First, alkenes are electron-rich and nucleophilic. Second, the requirement for facial overlap means that alkene double bonds, unlike single bonds in alkanes, cannot rotate. This lack of rotation leads to cis–trans isomers, which also exist in cycloalkanes. This chapter introduces and discusses the basics of alkene π bonds and IUPAC nomenclature for alkenes.
