Question

Unsaturated hydrocarbons contain multiple bonds between the two C-atoms and show addition reactions. Give the test to distinguish ethane from ethene.

Answer 1

Unsaturated hydrocarbon:

• Unsaturated hydrocarbons are organic compounds that consist of carbon and hydrogen atoms with a double or a triple bond between two adjacent carbon atoms.
• Examples of unsaturated carbon compounds are alkenes as well as alkynes.

Test for distinguishing ethane from ethene:

Bromine gas test:

• When ethane$\left({\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_6\right)$ and ethene$\left({\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_4\right)$ are dissolved in carbon tetrachloride in separate test tubes. On passing bromine gas over both the test tubes.
• If the color of bromine gas is discharged, then the gas is ethene while if the color of the gas remains the same i.e. brownish-red, then it is ethane.
• The chemical reaction of Ethene with Bromine gas can be depicted as:

• The chemical reaction of Ethane with Bromine gas can be depicted as: