What is a primary use of alkenes in the chemical industry?

Alkenes are primarily used in the chemical industry to produce polymers. This is due to their structure, which contains a carbon-carbon double bond that allows for addition reactions. The most notable polymer produced from alkenes is polyethylene, which is synthesized through the polymerization of ethylene (an alkene). This process involves the breaking of the double bond in alkenes, allowing the monomers to link together to form long chains, creating a wide range of materials used in packaging, plastic containers, and various other products.

The significance of alkenes in polymer production is not just limited to polyethylene; they are also precursors for other types of polymers like polypropylene and polystyrene, expanding their utility in various applications across multiple industries.