Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Electrophilic Addition Reactions
Electrophilic addition reactions are a fundamental type of reaction in organic chemistry where an electrophile reacts with a nucleophile, typically involving alkenes. In the case of cyclohexene, the double bond acts as a nucleophile, allowing bromine to add across the double bond, leading to the formation of a dibromide. This reaction is characterized by a color change as the reddish-brown bromine solution becomes colorless.
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Reactivity of Alkenes vs. Ethers
Alkenes, such as cyclohexene, are more reactive than ethers like phenyl isopropyl ether due to the presence of a carbon-carbon double bond. Ethers are generally stable and do not undergo electrophilic addition reactions under normal conditions. This difference in reactivity is crucial for distinguishing between the two compounds when bromine is added, as only the alkene will react and cause a color change.
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Observation of Reaction Products
When bromine is added to the two beakers, the disappearance of color indicates a reaction has occurred. However, the key observation lies in the nature of the products formed. In the case of cyclohexene, a dibromide is formed, while phenyl isopropyl ether remains unchanged. By monitoring the reaction and any potential byproducts, one can distinguish between the alkene and the aryl ether based on the presence or absence of a color change.
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