Olefin

Name:
Olefin
Detailed information:
(alkene). A class of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having one or more double bonds, obtained by cracking naphtha or other petroleum fractions at high temperatures (1500–1700F). Those containing one double bond are called alkenes, and those with two are called alkadienes, or diolefins. They are named after the corresponding paraffins by adding -ene or -ylene to the stem. α-olefins are particularly reactive because the double bond is on the first carbon. Examples are 1-octene and 1-octadecene, which are used as the starting point for medium-biodegradable surfactants. Other olefins (ethylene, propylene, etc.) are starting points for certain manufactured fibers.See Diolefin.