When testing for alkene with bromine water. Can ethene be used? LIke bubbling ethene gas into bromine water ?

Question

When testing for alkene with bromine water. Can ethene be used? LIke bubbling ethene gas into bromine water ?

Answer 1

Definitely, yes.

Ethene, C2H4, has a structural formula of(ignore the dots please):

H - C = C - H

......|.....|

.....H....H

There is a double bond in the structure, which means this alkene is unsaturated. When it is bubbled through bromine water, it would react with bromine and the turn into C2H4Br2

....Br....Br

......|.....|

H - C - C - H

......|.....|

.....H....H

In fact, all alkenes can be used. This test is used to differentiate alkanes and alkenes, since alkanes do not react with bromine water.

Answer 2

I've tried that - I didn't get anything.Probably, the reaction is slow as ethene is in a gaseous state.