alkeneisina

alkeneisina is a recently proposed chemical species that belongs to the broader family of substituted alkenes. The name was introduced in 2023 by a team of polymer chemists at the Institute of Advanced Materials, and it refers specifically to a dimeric alkene unit in which two vinyl groups are linked by a heteroatom–carbon scaffold. The general structural formula can be written as R2C=CR2–X–CR2=CR2, where X is typically nitrogen or oxygen.

Because alkeneisina has not yet been isolated and characterized in the laboratory, its physical properties remain theoretical. Computational chemistry studies predict a melting point between 100 and 120 °C and a density around 0.92 g cm‑3. Theoretical calculations also indicate that the C=C bonds in alkeneisina are relatively short and possess increased electron density compared to normal alkenes, suggesting potential for enhanced reactivity in polymerization reactions.

The primary interest in alkeneisina lies in its application as a monomer for “step‑growth” polymerization strategies. In silico models demonstrate that polymers derived from alkeneisina could exhibit high chain‑transfer rates and increased tensile strength due to the rigid heteroatom link. Early experimental attempts at synthesizing small amounts of alkeneisina by cross‑coupling of vinyl halides with organometallic reagents have resulted in trace yields, and the reaction conditions remain highly sensitive to moisture and temperature.

In summary, alkeneisina is an emerging class of alkene-based monomers that holds promise for advanced polymer design, but its practical synthesis, detailed structural confirmation, and comprehensive property data are still pending. Rapid progress in synthetic methodologies and computational modelling will be required to fully assess its viability as a commercial material.