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Mechanism of the Reaction Between Ethene and Bromine - Carbonium Ion Formation

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Total cards: 14•Content version: v4•Public deck•Updated: 8/1/2026

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#1
Front (Question)

The Br+ species needs two electrons for a stable octet of electrons in its outer energy level, how does it get these?

Back (Answer)

It attacks the C2H4 molecule

#2
Front (Question)

Why does the Br+ species attack the C2H4 molecule?

Back (Answer)

To try and gain the two electrons it needs for a stable octet of electrons in its outer energy level

#3
Front (Question)

Which of the two bromine ions formed attacks the C2H4 molecule?

Back (Answer)

The Br+ species

#4
Front (Question)

Where does the C2H4 molecule have the two electrons the Br+ species requires?

Back (Answer)

It has it in its pi bond

#5
Front (Question)

How does the Br+ ion get the two electrons it needs?

Back (Answer)

It attacks the C2H4

#6
Front (Question)

What does the Br+ ion do once it has its two electrons?

Back (Answer)

It forms a covalent bond with one of the carbon atoms using these electrons, one of which belong to the other carbon

#7
Front (Question)

What happens to the carbon who didn’t form the covalent bond with bromine?

Back (Answer)

It gains a positive charge due to the lost electron

#8
Front (Question)

How many carbons does the bromine form a covalent bond with?

Back (Answer)

It forms a bond with one carbon atom but it gets the electrons from each carbon (one from each carbon)

#9
Front (Question)

What is the positively charged carbon atom called?

Back (Answer)

Carbonium ion

#10
Front (Question)

What is a carbonium ion?

Back (Answer)

A positively charged carbon atom

#11
Front (Question)

What is the carbonium ion often referred to as?

Back (Answer)

An intermediate

#12
Front (Question)

What does the carbonium ion intermediate form?

Back (Answer)

There is reason to suggest it takes on a cyclic structure called a cyclic bromonium ion

#13
Front (Question)

Why can it be suggested that the carbonium ion intermediate takes on a cyclic structure called a cyclic bromonium ion?

Back (Answer)

The relatively large size of the bromine atom allows the formation of a three membered ring structure

#14
Front (Question)

List the events that occur during the carbonium ion formation. (5)

Back (Answer)

Br+ species attacks ethene for electrons Br+ forms covalent bond with one carbon using an electron from both carbons One carbon is not positively charged (carbonium ion) Carbonium ion = intermediate Carbonium ion intermediate = cyclic bromonium ion