Why does bromine water become colourless upon the addition of ethene, but not ethane? What is this reaction called?

Bromine water reacts with ethane as it is able to break open the double bond, forming 1,2-dibromoethane. This double bond is not present in ethane, so bromine water does not react with it. This reaction is known as electrophilic addition.

Answered by Omar A. Chemistry tutor

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