Unsaturated fats change bromine water from orange to colourless. How?

Unsaturated fats usually have a C=C double bond, e.g. vegetable oil. So, it's 'unstable' because of the high concentration of negative charge (electrons). Bromine (B2) is not polarised. However, as it approaches the double bond, it polarises. We can this a permanent dipole to induced dipole reaction. Bromine than attaches to the hydrocarbon creating halogenated hydrocarbons (Bromine is a halogen). Since bromine is added on, we call this an addition reaction. This helps separate alkanes from alkenes. Diagram will help explain.

AC
Answered by Abi C. Chemistry tutor

9854 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Magnesium is a bulk metal in our bodies. What is it’s main role regarding ATP?


Define Electronegativity


Calculate the number of moles in a sample of 113.47g of Ca(HCO3)2.


How do I know if an enthalpy change should be positive or negative?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning