Click a thumbnail picture below to view a larger version.

View Movie

Narrative
The isomeric hydrocarbons 2,3-dimethylbutane and 2,2-dimethylbutane are mixed with bromine and irradiated with a slide projector. 2,3-Dimethylbutane reacts more rapidly than the isomeric 2,2-dimethylbutane. This faster rate is attributed to the formation of the more stable tertiary radical intermediate. pH paper shows the presence of an acidic by-product.

Discussion

Bromination of Hexane Isomers