Bromine & Alkenes (Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry)

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Bromine & alkenes

Bromination of alkenes

  • Alkenes undergo addition reactions in which atoms of a simple molecule add across the C=C double bond
  • When bromine is reacted with an alkene a dibromoalkane is formed
  • The reaction between bromine and ethene is an example of an addition reaction and forms dibromoethane 
  • The same process works for any halogen and any alkene in which the halogen atoms always add to the carbon atoms across the C=C double bond

Addition of bromine to ethene

Bromine-Addition-to-Ethene, IGCSE & GCSE Chemistry revision notes

Bromine atoms add across the C=C in the addition reaction of ethene and bromine

Testing for alkenes

Bromine water test

  • Alkanes and alkenes have different molecular structures
  • All alkanes are saturated and alkenes are unsaturated
  • The presence of the C=C double bond allows alkenes to react in ways that alkanes cannot
  • This allows us to tell alkenes apart from alkanes using a simple chemical test called the bromine water test
    • Bromine water is used in the test for alkenes as it is safer and easier to handle than bromine
  • Bromine water is an orange coloured solution
  • When bromine water is added to an alkane, it will remain as an orange solution as alkanes do not have double carbon bonds (C=C) so the bromine remains in solution
  • But when bromine water is added to an alkene:
    • The bromine atoms add across the C=C bond
    • The solution no longer contains free bromine so it loses its colour / decolourises

Bromine water testBromine-Test Alkenes, IGCSE & GCSE Chemistry revision notes

Diagram showing the result of the test using bromine water with alkanes and alkenes

Examiner Tip

Alkenes are more reactive than alkanes due to the presence of the carbon-carbon double bond which contains an area of high electron density.

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Stewart

Author: Stewart

Expertise: Chemistry Lead

Stewart has been an enthusiastic GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and IB teacher for more than 30 years in the UK as well as overseas, and has also been an examiner for IB and A Level. As a long-standing Head of Science, Stewart brings a wealth of experience to creating Exam Questions and revision materials for Save My Exams. Stewart specialises in Chemistry, but has also taught Physics and Environmental Systems and Societies.