Olefiinit

Olefiinit, also known as alkenes, are a class of unsaturated hydrocarbons characterized by the presence of at least one carbon-carbon double bond within their molecular structure. The simplest olefinit is ethene (C2H4), followed by propene (C3H6) and butene (C4H8). The presence of the double bond imparts unique chemical properties, making olefiinit more reactive than their saturated counterparts, the alkanes. This reactivity is largely due to the pi bond within the double bond, which is more easily broken than the sigma bond.

Olefiinit undergo various addition reactions, where atoms or groups are added across the double bond. Common examples include hydrogenation, where hydrogen is added to form alkanes, and halogenation, where halogens like chlorine or bromine are added. Polymerization is another significant reaction of olefiinit, where many small olefinit molecules (monomers) join together to form large chains called polymers. Polyethylene, a widely used plastic, is formed from the polymerization of ethene.

Industrially, olefiinit are crucial building blocks for numerous chemical processes. They are produced primarily through the cracking of larger hydrocarbon molecules derived from petroleum or natural gas. Ethene and propene are particularly important as they serve as precursors for a vast array of plastics, solvents, and other organic chemicals. Their versatility makes them indispensable in modern chemical manufacturing.