Why is cyclohexene able to react with bromine water, but Benzene isn't

Cyclohexene's structure is 6 carbons bonded in a ring, with a single double bond existing between carbons 1 and 6Benzene is also a 6 carbon ring, however it has a delocalised electron ring around the structure instead of any localised double bonds.The 1,6 double bond in Cyclohexene has a very high electron density, and hence has a strong ability to polarise molecules such as Br2, whereas the delocalised ring in Benzene has a lower electron density (still more dense than cyclohexane's single bonds) which means it has much less polarising power than the double bond in cyclohexene.This means that Cyclohexene is able to induce a tempoary dipole in Br-Br molecules and this allows one Br to attract an electron pair from the double bond, leading to bromination of the cyclohexene into 1,2-bromocyclohexane.Benzene is unable to induce dipoles in Br-Br molecules so does not react in their presence without catalysts.

Answered by Chemistry tutor

17014 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

How can I predict the shape of complex ions from their formulae?


Explain why the enthalpy of lattice dissociation of potassium oxide is less endothermic than that of sodium oxide. ( 2 Marks)


A naturally occurring sample of the element boron has a relative atomic mass of 10.8 In this sample, boron exists as two isotopes. Calculate the percentage abundance of 10B in this naturally occurring sample of boron.


How does ionic bonding work and what is the structure of an ionic compound?


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:

© 2025 by IXL Learning