Tert-Butylbenzene And Bromine Experiment

565 Words2 Pages

Introduction
This experiment was performed in order to compare the ability of bromine atoms to react with hydrogen atoms of different classifications. The experiment compared aromatic, aliphatic and benzylic hydrogen atoms of primary, secondary, and tertiary classifications. The time it took for the reaction to occur was measured and compared between the different hydrocarbons. This rate of reaction was used to determine the reactivity of the various hydrogen atoms on the hydrocarbons with bromine.

Data and Results
Toluene, which contained primary benzylic hydrogen atoms, exhibited a reaction time of 7 seconds. Ethylbenzene, which contained secondary benzylic hydrogen atoms, exhibited a reaction time of 2 seconds. Tert-butylbenzene, which contained primary alipathic hydrogen atoms, exhibited a reaction time of greater than 46 minutes. Cyclohexane, which contained secondary aliphatic hydrogen atoms, exhibited a reaction time of greater than 46 minutes. Methylcyclohexane, which contained tertiary aliphatic hydrogen atoms, exhibited a reaction time of 36 minutes. These reaction rates were measured by observing the disappearance of color from the solution.

Discussion and Conclusion …show more content…

The light provides the energy to break the bond between the two bromine atoms, creating the bromine radicals. The energy required to break the bond is known as the bond dissociation energy. The bromine radicals can then attack the hydrocarbons, creating carbon radicals and HBr. These carbon radicals in turn attack the bromine that is not in radical form, which results in the creation of the R-Br products and regeneration of bromine radicals. This allows the reaction to continue though propagation. Different hydrogen atoms demonstrate different reactivity depending on the stability of the different transition states that are formed with the carbon radical

More about Tert-Butylbenzene And Bromine Experiment

Open Document