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  • Bromine Reactivity: Understanding Reactions with Alkenes vs. Aromatics
    Here's why bromine reacts with hexene but not benzene:

    1. The Nature of Double Bonds

    * Hexene: Contains a carbon-carbon double bond. This double bond is relatively electron-rich and susceptible to electrophilic attack.

    * Benzene: Contains a system of delocalized pi electrons, which create a stable, aromatic ring. This system is much less reactive than a simple double bond.

    2. Bromine's Reactivity

    * Bromine (Br₂) is an electrophile. It seeks out electron-rich areas to react with.

    3. Reaction Mechanisms

    * Hexene: Bromine reacts with hexene through an electrophilic addition reaction. The double bond in hexene is attacked by the electrophilic bromine, breaking the double bond and forming a di-bromoalkane.

    * Benzene: While benzene can react with bromine under specific conditions (with a catalyst like FeBr₃), it undergoes electrophilic aromatic substitution, not addition. This is a much slower process because it disrupts the stability of the aromatic ring.

    In summary:

    * The double bond in hexene is more susceptible to attack by electrophiles like bromine, leading to a straightforward addition reaction.

    * The aromatic system in benzene is much less reactive, requiring harsh conditions and a catalyst to undergo substitution.

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