Difference Between Cyclopentane and Cyclopentene

The key difference between cyclopentane and cyclopentene is that cyclopentane is saturated while cyclopentene is unsaturated.

Both cyclopentane and cyclopentene are cyclic and aliphatic compounds. Therefore, we call them “alicyclic compounds”. Both these compounds occur as highly flammable liquids having a petrol-like odour.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Cyclopentane
3. What is Cyclopentene
4. Side by Side Comparison – Cyclopentane vs Cyclopentene in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is Cyclopentane?

Cyclopentane is an alicyclic hydrocarbon with the chemical formula C₅H₁₀. It is a cyclic compound having five carbon atoms making the ring structure. Also, this is a saturated compound because there are no double or triple bonds between carbon atoms. The chemical bonds present in this compound are C-C and C-H single bonds. Here, one carbon atom has two hydrogen atoms attached to it, above and below the plane of the cyclic structure.

Furthermore, its molar mass is 70.1 g/mol. The melting point and boiling point are −93.9 °C and 49.2 °C, respectively. Besides, this compound occurs as a colourless liquid, and it is flammable. Moreover, it has a petrol-like odour. We can produce this compound by cracking cyclohexane using alumina as a catalyst. We need to use high temperature and high-pressure conditions for this production. When considering the uses of cyclopentane, it is useful in the manufacture of synthetic resins, rubber abrasives, as a blowing agent for polyurethane production, etc.

What is Cyclopentene?

Cyclopentene is an organic compound having the chemical formula C₅H₈. It occurs as a colourless liquid that is flammable and has a petrol-like odour. Further, this compound falls under the category of cycloalkenes. Moreover, its molar mass is 68.11 g/mol. The melting point and boiling point are −135 °C and 45 °C, respectively.

In an industrial scale, we can produce this compound via steam cracking of naphtha. It is useful mainly as a component in gasoline. Moreover, it is useful in analyzing the mechanisms of organic reactions.

What is the Difference Between Cyclopentane and Cyclopentene?

Cyclopentane is an alicyclic hydrocarbon having the chemical formula C₅H₁₀ while Cyclopentene is an organic compound having the chemical formula C₅H₈. Further, the key difference between cyclopentane and cyclopentene is that cyclopentane is saturated while cyclopentene is unsaturated. Therefore, cyclopentane has C-C and C-H single bonds while cyclopentene has C-C and C-H single bonds with C=C double bond.

Moreover, we can produce cyclopentane by cracking cyclohexane using alumina as a catalyst and cyclopentene via steam cracking of naphtha.

Below infographic shows more facts regarding the difference between cyclopentane and cyclopentene.

Summary – Cyclopentane vs Cyclopentene

Cyclopentane is an alicyclic hydrocarbon having the chemical formula C₅H₁₀ while Cyclopentene is an organic compound having the chemical formula C₅H₈. In summary, the key difference between cyclopentane and cyclopentene is that cyclopentane is saturated while cyclopentene is unsaturated.

Reference:

1. “Cyclopentane.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Database, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Cyclopentane2d” By Ccroberts – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Cyclopentene-2D-skeletal” By Benjah-bmm27 – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia