Which product forms when an alkene reacts with bromine?

When an alkene reacts with bromine, a process known as electrophilic addition occurs. In this reaction, bromine (Br₂) adds across the carbon-carbon double bond of the alkene. The double bond is broken, and each carbon of that bond forms a new bond with a bromine atom, resulting in the formation of a haloalkane. This product contains bromine atoms attached to the carbon skeleton, which is characteristic of haloalkanes.

This reaction highlights the ability of alkenes to undergo addition reactions due to the electron-rich nature of the double bond, which acts as a nucleophile and attacks the electrophilic bromine molecule. The resulting compound is saturated, having replaced the double bond with two new carbon-bromine single bonds.

Understanding this mechanism is crucial because it not only illustrates the reactivity of alkenes but also how halogens can modify organic compounds. The formation of haloalkanes from alkenes through bromination is an important reaction in organic synthesis and various industrial applications.