for the equation:
propane + bromine
how do I know on which carbon the Br would attatch itself to.
It can attache to any of them, forming different compounds. But in the case of propane and bromine, the great majority of the product will be with one bromine attached to the central carbon. In the case of chlorine, the mix of compounds is about equal. Besides the monobromide compounds, there is an array of bromide compounds with more than one bromine atom. Don't try this reaction with fluorine, it is rather dangerous.
Thank you soo much :) and I`ll keep in mind what you said about fluroine.
To determine on which carbon the bromine (Br) would attach itself in the reaction between propane and bromine, you need to understand the reactivity of the carbon atoms in propane.
Propane, C3H8, has three carbon atoms labeled as C1, C2, and C3. Each of these carbon atoms is bonded to hydrogen atoms in the molecule.
When bromine reacts with hydrocarbons like propane, it tends to undergo a substitution reaction called free radical halogenation. This reaction involves a radical (a reactive species with an unpaired electron) and results in the replacement of a hydrogen atom with a halogen atom, such as bromine.
In this case, bromine reacts with propane to form bromopropane. However, it is important to note that the reaction is not specific to any particular carbon atom. It can occur at any of the three carbon atoms in propane.
The reactivity of the carbon atoms in propane can be determined by considering the stability of the resulting free radical intermediate. In general, tertiary (3°) carbon radicals, which have three alkyl groups attached to the carbon atom, are the most stable. Secondary (2°) carbon radicals, with two alkyl groups, are less stable, and primary (1°) carbon radicals, with only one alkyl group, are the least stable.
Therefore, in propane, the reaction between bromine and the carbon atoms would typically result in the bromine attachment occurring on the most stable carbon radical, which is the tertiary carbon (C3). However, it is important to consider other factors, such as steric hindrance or temperature, which can influence the reaction outcome.
In summary, the specific carbon atom to which bromine would attach cannot be determined solely from the equation "propane + bromine." It depends on the reactivity of the carbon atoms in propane, with the tertiary carbon (C3) being the most likely site for bromine attachment.