Here's the balanced chemical equation:
C₂H₂ + 2Br₂ → Br₂CH-CHBr₂
Explanation:
* Ethyne (C₂H₂): This is the starting alkene with a triple bond.
* Bromine (Br₂): The halogen that reacts with ethyne.
* Carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄): This acts as a solvent, allowing the reaction to occur smoothly and preventing the formation of unwanted side products.
* 1,1,2,2-tetrabromoethane (Br₂CH-CHBr₂): This is the product formed by the addition of two bromine molecules across the triple bond of ethyne.
Mechanism:
The reaction proceeds in a stepwise manner, with the initial formation of a bromonium ion intermediate:
1. Electrophilic attack: The bromine molecule is polarized by the electron cloud of the triple bond in ethyne, leading to the formation of a bromonium ion.
2. Nucleophilic attack: The bromide ion (Br⁻) then attacks the bromonium ion, opening the ring and forming the final product, 1,1,2,2-tetrabromoethane.
Note:
The reaction occurs in the presence of a catalyst, like iron (Fe), which enhances the rate of reaction by helping to break the Br-Br bond.