In organic chemistry, which suffix is used for alkenes?

In organic chemistry, alkenes are defined as hydrocarbons that contain at least one carbon-carbon double bond (C=C). The naming convention for these compounds incorporates the suffix "-ene." This suffix indicates the presence of the double bond, distinguishing alkenes from other types of hydrocarbons.

For instance, the simplest alkene, ethene, has the formula C₂H₄ and features a double bond between its two carbon atoms. The "-ene" suffix is therefore essential for identifying and categorizing these compounds in organic chemistry.

In contrast, the suffix "-ane" is used for alkanes, which are saturated hydrocarbons that contain only single bonds. The suffix "-yne" is reserved for alkynes, which are hydrocarbons with at least one carbon-carbon triple bond. Lastly, the suffix "-ol" is used to denote alcohols, which contain a hydroxyl group (-OH). Understanding these suffixes is crucial for recognizing and classifying the various types of organic compounds based on their structures.