Which type of carbon-carbon bond occurs in an alkene?

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Alkenes are characterized by the presence of a carbon-carbon double bond.123

This double bond is a type of covalent bond composed of two distinct components:45

  • Sigma (σ) bond: One pair of shared electrons forms a σ bond, which serves as the primary connection between the carbon atoms.243
  • Pi (π) bond: The second pair of electrons occupies regions above and below the plane of the σ bond, forming a pi (π) bond.245

Because this double bond contains a π bond, which is a region of increased electron density, alkenes are considered unsaturated hydrocarbons. These electrons are more distant from the carbon nuclei than those in the σ bond, making them more reactive and susceptible to addition reactions.1234