Question

Compound A is bubbled through bromine dissolved in carbon tetrachloride and the product is CH₂Br − CH₂Br.

A $\stackrel{{\mathrm{Br}}_2/{\mathrm{CCl}}_4}{\to }$ CH₂Br − CH₂Br

(i) Draw the structural formula of A.
(ii) What type of reaction has A undergone?
(iii) What is your observation?
(iv) Name (not formula) the compound formed when steam reacts with A in the presence of phosphoric acid.
(v) What is the procedure for converting the product of (b) (iv) back to A?

Answer 1

(i) Structural formula of compound A (ethene) is:


(ii) The compound A has undergone an addition reaction.
(iii) We observe that the orange colour of the bromine disappears.
(iv) Ethanol
(v) Treating ethanol with concentrated sulphuric acid at 170^oC dehydrates ethanol and gives ethene.