Ethene reacting with Br2 dissolved in ethanol (Poll Question)

In the reaction between Br₂ dissolved in ethanol (CH₃CH₂OH), the mechanism of the reaction can be described by the picture below.

When you review the mechanism of the reaction between ethene and aqueous Br₂, you can see that the solvent molecule (H₂O) contains an O with 2 pairs of lone pair of electrons. This electron pair is attracted to the carbocation which is an electrophile.

Hence, in the situation of Br₂, the similar situation occurs. Ethanol contains O which has 2 pairs of lone pair of electrons. A pair of electron can therefore be attracted to the electrophilic carbon of the carbocation, hence forming of CH₂BrCH₂OCH₂CH₃ as the major product.

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Article written by Kwok YL 2010.}

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