Alpha-olefin

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Alpha-olefins (or α-olefins) are a family of organic compounds which are olefins or alkenes with a chemical formula C_xH_2x, distinguished by having a double bond at the primary or alpha (α) position. See the illustration below. This location of a double bond enhances the reactivity of the compound and makes it useful for a number of applications.

There are two types of alpha-olefins, branched and linear (or normal). The chemical properties of branched alpha-olefins with a branch at either the second (vinylidene) or the third carbon number are significantly different from the properties of linear alpha-olefins and those with branches on the fourth carbon number and further from the start of the chain.

hex-1-ene, a typical alpha-olefin.
The blue numbers show the IUPAC numbering of the atoms in the backbone chain of the molecule. The red symbols show the common nomenclature labeling of the main chain atoms. The double bond of an alpha olefin is between the #1 and #2 (IUPAC) or α and β (common) carbon atoms.

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