Butene

/bjuːˈtiːn/ noun

Definition

Any of several chemical compounds that are hydrocarbons containing four carbon atoms and at least one carbon-carbon double bond.

Etymology

From 'butane' (a hydrocarbon with four carbons) where '-ane' indicates a single bond, changed to '-ene' (indicating a double bond). This follows systematic IUPAC chemical nomenclature.

Kelly Says

In chemistry naming, '-ane' means fully saturated (single bonds), '-ene' means has a double bond, and '-yne' means has a triple bond. This naming system is so logical that chemists can invent names for molecules that have never existed!

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