Test for Unsaturation
- Halogens can be used to test if a molecule is unsaturated (i.e. contains a double bond)
- Br2 (aq) is an orange or yellow solution, called bromine water and this is the halogen most commonly used
- The unknown compound is shaken with the bromine water
- If the compound is unsaturated, an addition reaction will take place and the coloured solution will decolourise
The unsaturation test
The decolourisation of bromine water by an unsaturated compound as a result of an addition reaction
