Question

Compound A is bubbled through bromine dissolved in carbon tetrachloride, and the product is CH₂Br – CH₂Br.
\[\ce{A ->[Br2/CCl4] CH2Br - CH2Br}\]

1. Draw the structural formula of A.
2. What type of reaction has A undergone?
3. What is your observation?
4. Name (not formula) the compound formed when steam reacts with A in the presence of phosphoric acid.
5. What is the procedure for converting the product of (iv) back to A?

Answer 1

1. CH₂ = CH₂
2. Addition reaction
3. Reddish brown colour of bromine gets discharged.
4. \[\ce{\underset{Ethene}{CH2 = CH2} + H2O ->[Phosphoric][acid] \underset{Ethanol}{CH3 - CH2 - OH}}\]
5. By dehydration (with any dehydrating agent).
   \[\ce{\underset{Ethanol}{C2H5OH} ->[Al2O3][300^\circ C] \underset{Ethene}{C2H4} + H2O}\]