View Full Version : maleic/fumaric acid an alkene?


uwaterloo
01-29-2008, 10:20 AM
hello,

I was wondering if maleic acid and fumaric acids are alkenes... Are they alkenes cuz they have C-C double bonds and are organic compounds? (I havent taken ochem....)

Thanks sooo much!:):):)

armybound
01-29-2008, 11:46 AM
yes

uwaterloo
01-29-2008, 01:49 PM
why is it an alkene? cuz I wrote "yes because they both contain carbon carbon double bonds and are organic compounds containing carbon" and my lab instructor said i shud think it over more...

do all alkenes have the formula CnH2n?

Thanks!

SketchLazy
01-29-2008, 02:01 PM
why is it an alkene? cuz I wrote "yes because they both contain carbon carbon double bonds and are organic compounds containing carbon" and my lab instructor said i shud think it over more...

do all alkenes have the formula CnH2n?

Thanks!

The definition of an alkene is a compound with a carbon carbon double bond. Not all of them will follow the formula CnH2n. For instance, you can have a branched alkyl chain connected to an alkene. In that case it wouldn't follow that formula.

armybound
01-29-2008, 05:07 PM
well it has to do with being unsaturated

bluemonkey
01-31-2008, 12:20 AM
The formula CnH2n only applies to straight-chain alkenes...