The number of hydrogen atoms in an alkene is double the number of carbon atoms, so they have the general formula. Alkenes are unsaturated, meaning they contain a double bond . This bond is why the alkenes are more reactive than the alkanes .
Why alkenes are more reactive than Alkynes?
Alkenes have one pi-bond between two (or more) carbon atoms, along with a sp2-sp2 hybridised orbital bonding (sigma bond). The pi-bond can be easily broken to free the valence shell electrons for combining with other atoms, but as the number of pi bonds is lesser than Alkynes, they are less reactive.
Why are double bonds reactive?
A type of covalent bond in which four electrons are shared between two atoms, as opposed to two electrons being shared between two atoms in a single bond. They are more reactive than single bonds because they are more electron rich. ...