Question

Name the products formed and write an equation when ethyne is added to the following in an inert solvent:

Chlorine

Answer 1

Ethyne, in an inert solvent like carbon tetrachloride [CC1₄] for example, adds chlorine to change into an ethene derivative with a carbon-carbon double bond and then to an ethane derivative with a carbon-carbon single bond.

\[\ce{\underset{Ethyne}{CH ≡ CH} ->[Cl2][(from CCl4)] \underset{1, 2-dichloro ethene}{CHCl = CHCl} ->[Cl2][(from CCl4)] \underset{1, 1, 2, 2-tetrachloro ethane}{CHCl2 - CHCl2}}\]

Acetylene reacts vigorously with chlorine gas in the presence of sunlight to give out flames.

C₂H₂ + Cl₂ → 2C + 2HCl.