What does hexene mean?
Hexene is a chemical name for an unsaturated hydrocarbon with six carbon atoms and one carbon–carbon double bond. The unqualified word can be used for the family of C6H12 alkene isomers; when the straight-chain terminal isomer is intended, it is called 1-hexene or hex-1-ene. This double bond distinguishes hexene from hexane, which has the same number of carbon atoms but is saturated. Hexenes are colorless, volatile liquids, although their precise properties depend on the position of the double bond. In technical literature, 1-hexene is associated with chemical manufacturing, including the production of certain polymers and other organic intermediates. The terminology therefore belongs to chemistry rather than general conversation, and naming a particular structure requires attention to locants and systematic spelling. Nevertheless, hexene is useful to know because it illustrates how a small change in bonding—single versus double—changes both a compound’s name and its chemical behavior.
nounAn unsaturated hydrocarbon with six carbon atoms and one carbon–carbon double bond. The unqualified name may refer to any of several isomeric C6H12 alkenes, while 1-hexene specifically denotes the straight-chain terminal isomer.
- Any of the isomeric unsaturated hydrocarbons containing six carbon atoms and one carbon–carbon double bond; 1-hexene specifically denotes the straight-chain terminal isomer.
"The off-gas stream contained a small amount of hexene."
"The off-gas stream contained a small amount of hexene."
"Hexene reacts with bromine across its carbon–carbon double bond."
The plural is uncommon and is normally used when referring to multiple isomers or samples of the compound.
"Several hexenes were identified in the mixture."
Hexene and hexane have the same number of carbon atoms, but one extra bond transforms a saturated hydrocarbon into a reactive alkene.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hexene come from?
Hexene combines the combining form hex-, derived through Latin from Greek hexa, meaning “six,” with the chemical suffix -ene, which identifies an unsaturated hydrocarbon containing a carbon–carbon double bond. The numerical element refers to the six-carbon parent structure, while the suffix places the compound in the alkene series.
Related word forms
How hexene is actually used
The term belongs mainly to formal chemical and technical writing. Because several structural isomers may be called hexenes without a locant, writers normally use 1-hexene or hex-1-ene when the double-bond position needs to be explicit.
Easily confused with hexene
Hexene contains a carbon–carbon double bond, whereas hexane is saturated and contains only single carbon–carbon bonds.
Hexene is an alkene with one double bond, while hexyne is an alkyne with one triple bond.