Alkenes are hydrocarbons that contain at least one carbon-carbon double bond. They have the general formula CnH2n. Common properties of alkenes include being unsaturated, less dense than water, and having lower melting and boiling points than alkanes. Alkenes undergo addition reactions where the double bond is broken and new single bonds are formed. They react with hydrogen, halogens, hydrogen halides, water, and acidified potassium manganate(VII) solution through addition reactions. Polymerization of alkenes forms polymers like polyethene. Alkenes burn with more soot than alkanes due to their higher carbon content.