maleic/fumaric acid an alkene?

[uwaterloo]

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!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[armybound]

yes

 

[uwaterloo]

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]

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]

well it has to do with being unsaturated

 

[bluemonkey]

The formula CnH2n only applies to straight-chain alkenes...