High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Alkynes are hydrocarbons that have a triple bond between two carbon atoms, with the general chemical formula CnH2n-2. Alkynes are traditionally known as acetylenes, although the name acetylene also refers specifically to C2H2, known formally as ethyne using IUPAC nomenclature. Like other hydrocarbons, alkynes are generally hydrophobic but tend to be more reactive.