Olefins belong to a family of organic compounds called hydrocarbons. They consist of different molecular combinations of the two elements, carbon and hydrogen. Another name for an olefin is an alkene. Alkenes contain one or more double bonds between the carbon atoms of the molecule.
Atomic Structure
Each element is an atom that contains different numbers of protons, neutrons and electrons. Protons and neutrons live in the central nucleus of the atom, while electrons move around the nucleus in defined patterns called orbits. The element hydrogen has only one orbiting electron, while the element carbon has six. Electrons form pairs and live in different orbits around the nucleus. Stable atoms have all electrons paired and orbitals full.
Molecular Formation
Unpaired electrons attract other atoms that have unpaired electrons in order to gain another electron and become stable. Unpaired electrons live in the highest energy level and are called valence electrons. Hydrogen has one valence electron while carbon has four. Atoms share their valence electrons with other atoms and bond together, forming a molecule. Several types of bonds exist.
Double Bonds
In molecules of olefin, two of the carbon atoms form a double bond with each other by sharing their valence electrons with each other instead of sharing with an atom of hydrogen. Different molecular structures form, depending on where the double bonds occur. The simplest olefin compound has a carbon double bond and four hydrogen single bonds. Two hydrogen atoms bond with each of the carbon atoms on the side opposite the double bond.
Chains and Rings
Olefins form different compounds based on their structure. Some have short chains with only two, three or four carbons, such as ethylene. Others form long chains or closed ring structures. Some have a combination of both.
Chemical Properties
Alkenes are insoluble and exist in all three states of matter. Some short chain alkenes are gases at room temperature and pressure. More complicated structures exist as liquids and solids.
Uses
Olefins, or alkenes, form naturally in many living things. According to Bruce Hathaway’s book, Organic Chemistry, the nutrient beta-carotene is a natural olefin found in carrots. It contains a chain of carbon atoms doubly and singly bonded together with a ring structure close to either end. The simple olefin, ethylene, promotes the ripening of fruit. Their largest commercial application of olefins comes in the petroleum industry, where they are used to make high-octane gasoline.
References
- Chemistry- An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry; Karen C. Timberlake; 2009. .
- Organic Chemistry the Easy Way; Dr. Bruce A. Hathaway; 2006
- Encyclopedia Britannica; Science and Technology::olefin;
- Richard Morley, Chemist, Los Alamos National Laboratory.
About the Author
New Mexico resident and novelist Angie Chipera has been writing since 2000. Her articles have appeared in "The Essence of Los Alamos" magazine, the "Los Alamos Monitor" newspaper and "Stories of Amazing Grace." Chipera holds bachelor's degrees in computer science and geology from the University of North Dakota, and belongs to Southwest Writers and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.
Photo Credits
fruit image by Henryk Olszewski from Fotolia.com