What is "allene"

n. 1 (context organic chemistry English) Any of a class of hydrocarbons having two double bonds from one carbon atom to two others - R₂C=C=CR₂; especially the parent compound CH₂=C=CH₂ (propadiene). 2 (context organic chemistry English) Any derivative of such hydrocarbons.

An allene is a compound in which one carbon atom has double bonds with each of its two adjacent carbon centres. Allenes are classified as polyenes with cumulated dienes. The parent compound of allene is propadiene. Compounds with an allene-type structure but with more than three carbon atoms are called cumulenes. Allenes are much more reactive than most other alkenes. For example, their reactivity with gaseous chlorine is more like the reactivity of alkynes than that of alkenes.