Unsaturated hydrocarbons contain multiple bonds between two carbon atoms and these compounds show addition reactions. Out of saturated and unsaturated carbon compounds, which compounds are more reactive? Write a test to distinguish ethane from ethene.
Answer
Because of the presence of double and triple bonds, unsaturated compounds are more reactive as compared to saturated compounds.
Since ethane is an alkane (saturated) and ethene is an alkene (unsaturated), they can be distinguished from each other by bromine water test.
Alkenes react with bromine water in the dark condition and an addition reaction takes place because of which the bromine water is decolourised. However, alkanes do not react with bromine water and no color change is seen.
