What do alkenes primarily serve as in industrial processes?

Alkenes primarily serve as raw materials in industrial processes due to their reactivity and ability to undergo various chemical reactions. These compounds are integral in the synthesis of a wide range of chemicals, plastics, and materials. For instance, ethylene, an important alkene, is used to produce polyethylene, one of the most widely used plastics in the world. Alkenes can also participate in reactions such as polymerization, where they are transformed into long-chain polymers, and in the manufacture of alcohols, detergents, and other valuable chemical products. Their versatility as building blocks in chemical synthesis makes them essential as raw materials in the chemical industry.