Question

why are alkenes and alkynes used for the artificial ripening of fruits ? please answer asap!!!!! I have my chemistry board exam tomorrow

Answer 1

Hi there!

Alkenes and Alkynes are produced from the Alkanes in crude oil by a process called cracking.
Cracking uses heat and a Catalyst* to decompose alkanes.

*Catalyst : A substance which speeds up a chemical reaction without being altered or consumed in the process itself.

Alkenes and Alkynes are also used for artificial ripening of fruits, as a general anesthetic, for making Poisonous Mustard Gas [ War gas ] and Ethylene-Oxygen flame.

Ethylene [ $C_{2}H_{4}$ ] is a gaseous organic compound that is the simplest of the alkene chemical structures.

Ethylene is the most commercially produced organic compound in the world and is used in many industrial applications. 

Alkenes and Alkynes are used for Artificial ripening of fruits because :

They important role in many plant development processes, including seed germination, vegetative growth, leaf abscission, flowering, senescence and fruit ripening. 

They also control response to water stress, chilling and mechanical injury. 

[ Thank you! for asking the question. ]
Hope it helps!