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Will Ethene React with Bromine?

James H. Sterling • • 6 min read
Will Ethene React with Bromine?

The electrophilic addition of bromine to ethene
Alkenes react in the cold with pure liquid bromine, or with a solution of bromine in an organic solvent like tetrachloromethane. The double bond breaks, and a bromine atom becomes attached to each carbon.

Why does ethene react with bromine?

Explanation: Ethene and bromine are an addition reaction because ethene is an alkene - it has a double bond. It is easier for new atoms to open the double bond and react there than to remove the hydrogen already attached, and then bond to it, which would be a substitution reaction.

Why does ethane not react with bromine?

What is this reaction called? Bromine water reacts with ethane as it is able to break open the double bond, forming 1,2-dibromoethane. This double bond is not present in ethane, so bromine water does not react with it.

James H. Sterling
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James H. Sterling

James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.