Distinguish alkanes from alkenes by giving three points ?

1. Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons, meaning they contain only single bonds between carbon atoms. Alkenes, on the other hand, are unsaturated hydrocarbons that contain at least one double bond between carbon atoms.

2. Alkanes have the general formula CnH2n+2, while alkenes have the general formula CnH2n. This difference in formula reflects the presence of double bonds in alkenes, which results in fewer hydrogen atoms compared to alkanes of the same carbon chain length.

3. Alkanes are relatively inert and do not readily undergo chemical reactions, while alkenes are more reactive due to the presence of the double bond. Alkenes can undergo addition reactions, where the double bond is broken and new atoms or groups are added to the carbon atoms. This reactivity makes alkenes useful in various industrial processes, such as the production of plastics and synthetic materials.