A-Level CAIE Chemistry AS 14.2.2—Reactions of alkenes Question Bank

• Describe reactions of alkenes:

- (a) the electrophilic addition of

- (i) hydrogen in a hydrogenation reaction, H2(g) and Pt/Ni catalyst and heat

- (ii) steam, H2O(g) and H3PO4 catalyst

- (iii) a hydrogen halide, HX(g), at room temp.

- (iv) a halogen, X2

- (b) the oxidation by cold dil. acidified KMnO4 to form the diol

- (c) the oxidation by hot conc. acidified KMnO4 leading to the cleavage of the carbon–carbon double bond and the identities of the subsequent products to determine the position of alkene linkages in larger molecules

- (d) addition polymerisation exemplified by the reactions of ethene and propene