Photochemical Bromination of an Alkane

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Chemical Concepts Demonstrated

Light-catalyzed reactions
Thermolytic and photolytic reactions
Free-radical reactions
Reactivity of alkanes

Demonstration

The two crystallizing dishes contain pentane and pentene and are placed on the overhead projector.
Bromine in dichloromethane is added to both of the dishes.

Observations

The pentene changes to colorless very quickly. The pentane changes after exposure to the overhead's light.

Explanation (including important chemical equations)

The light-catalyzed reaction between an alkane and bromine can be stated as follows:

Chain initiation: Br₂+ hv --> 2 Br^.

Chain propogation: Br^.+ R-H --> R-Br + H^.

H^.+ Br₂--> H-Br + Br^.

Chain termination: 2 Br^.--> Br₂

2 H^.--> H₂

H^.+ Br^.--> HBr

Contributors

Dr. George Bodner (Perdue University)

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