Final answer:
Differentiate hexane from hexene, use bromine water. Hexane leaves the bromine water unchanged, while hexene reacts and decolorizes the bromine water.
Step-by-step explanation:
To distinguish between hexane and hexene, you can perform a simple chemical test using bromine water. Bromine water is a solution of bromine (Br2) in water, which has a characteristic orange or brown color. Hexane is a saturated hydrocarbon and will not react with bromine water, so the color of the solution will remain unchanged.
On the other hand, hexene is an unsaturated hydrocarbon with at least one double bond and will react with bromine water in an addition reaction, causing the solution to decolorize. This test essentially checks for the presence of carbon-carbon double bonds indicative of unsaturation.
Procedure to Distinguish Hexane from Hexene:
- Add equal amounts of bromine water to two separate test tubes.
- Introduce a small amount of hexane to the first test tube and hexene to the second.
- Observe any changes in color. Hexane will not react, so the bromine water will remain orange or brown. Hexene will react, and the solution will turn colorless.