CHEMISTRY GUIDE

This page looks at the reaction of the carbon-carbon double bond in alkenes such as ethene with hydrogen halides such as hydrogen chloride and hydrogen bromide. Symmetrical alkenes (like ethene or but-2-ene) are dealt with first. These are alkenes where identical groups are attached to each end of the carbon-carbon double bond. The extra problems associated with unsymmetrical ones like propene are covered in a separate section afterwards. Addition to symmetrical alkenes What happens? All alkenes undergo addition reactions with the hydrogen halides. A hydrogen atom joins to one of the carbon atoms originally in the double bond, and a halogen atom to the other. For example, with ethene and hydrogen chloride, you get chloroethane: With but-2-ene you get 2-chlorobutane: Note:   Follow this link if ...