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Chapter 4: Problem 14

Give a test that can be used to differentiate between saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Use bromine water. Orange remains for saturated, disappears for unsaturated.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the difference between saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons

Saturated hydrocarbons are compounds that have single bonds between the carbon atoms. In contrast, unsaturated hydrocarbons contain one or more double or triple bonds between carbon atoms.
02

Choose a reagent for the test

Bromine water is a common reagent used to differentiate between saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons. Bromine water is an orange solution of bromine in water.
03

Procedure for the test

Add a few drops of bromine water to a sample of the hydrocarbon. Shake the mixture well.
04

Observe the results

If the bromine water retains its orange color, the hydrocarbon is saturated. If the orange color disappears, the hydrocarbon is unsaturated due to the addition reaction with the double or triple bonds.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Saturated Hydrocarbons
Saturated hydrocarbons, also known as alkanes, are hydrocarbons in which all the bonds between carbon atoms are single bonds. This means every carbon atom is connected to the maximum possible number of hydrogen atoms. This structure makes them relatively stable compared to unsaturated hydrocarbons. Examples of saturated hydrocarbons include methane (CH₄), ethane (C₂H₆), and propane (C₃H₈).
Saturated hydrocarbons are generally less reactive because they have single bonds, which are stronger and less likely to participate in chemical reactions.
Unsaturated Hydrocarbons
Unsaturated hydrocarbons are those that contain one or more double or triple bonds between carbon atoms. These compounds are more reactive because the double or triple bonds are less stable than single bonds. The two main types of unsaturated hydrocarbons are alkenes and alkynes:
  • Alkenes have at least one double bond. For example, ethene (C₂H₄) and propene (C₃H₆).
  • Alkynes have at least one triple bond. Examples include ethyne (C₂H₂) and propyne (C₃H₄).
Due to these multiple bonds, unsaturated hydrocarbons can easily undergo addition reactions, making them quite reactive.
Bromine Water Test
The bromine water test is a simple yet effective method to differentiate between saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons. Here’s how it works:
  • Preparation: Bromine water is an orange solution of bromine (Br₂) in water.
  • Procedure: Add a few drops of bromine water to your hydrocarbon sample and shake the mixture well.
  • Observation: If the orange color remains, the hydrocarbon is saturated, meaning it has only single bonds and does not react with bromine. If the orange color disappears, the hydrocarbon is unsaturated. The bromine reacts with the double or triple bonds in the hydrocarbon, causing the orange color to vanish.
By utilizing this test, you can easily identify if a hydrocarbon is saturated or unsaturated based on the color change.

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