Differentiation and Qualitative Tests for Organic Compounds 

 Activity 1

Objectives

• Differentiate organic compounds from inorganic compounds in three different tests(Ignition tests, Solubility test, and 

Electrical conductivity test) 

Objectives

• Characterize Organic compounds through qualitative testing to determine the presence of predominant elements 

found in organic compounds. 

Objectives

• To perform and show corresponding results based on the performed 

experiment. 

Data InterpretationPart I. Differentiation Tests

Data 1. Ignition Test1. Flammability

Reactants Observations

a. Ethyl Alcohol Ignited upon contact with flame

a. Water Did not ignite

C2H5OH(aq) + 3O2(g)                        2CO2(g) + 3H2O(l)

Chemical reaction

2. Charring

Reactants Observations

a. Sucrose Charcoal was left

a. Sodium Chloride No change

C12H22O2(s) + 9/2O2(g)         12C(s) + 11H2O(g)

Chemical reaction

3. Solubility Test

Reactants Observations

Water Ether

a. Naphthalene Powder Insoluble Soluble

a. Sodium Chloride soluble Insoluble

Solutes

H

H

H

H

H

H

H

H

NapthaleneSodium Chloride

Solvents

CH3 O

CH3Ether

OHH

Water

C. Electrical Conductivity

Reactants Observations

a. 1M Glycerol Solution Bulb did not light

a. 1M NaCl Solution Bulb lighted

a. 95% ethanol solution Bulb did not light

Part II. Qualitative Tests A. Test for Carbon and Hydrogen

Observations2 g copper (II) oxide           The mixture charred when in contact with  + 1 g glucose heated         flame and produced a foul smelling smokeGas produced + lime water       and turned yellowish in color.

Presence of Carbon __√__Yes _____No Presence of Hydrogen __√__Yes _____No

CuO(s) + C6H12O6(s)     3CO2(g) + 6H2O(l)

 CO2(g) + Ca(OH)2(aq) H2O(l) + CaCO3(s)

B. Ferrox Paper Test for Oxygen

Reactant Observations Presence of Oxygen

a. AcetoneOrange red

__√_ Yes ____No

b. BenzeneColorless

____ Yes _√__No

c. Ethyl AlcoholDeep red

__√_ Yes ____No

d. Gasoline/ Kerosene

No change____ Yes __√_No

O

CH3

CH3

Acetone

OH

H

H H

H H

Ethyl Alcohol

Gasoline

H

H

H

H

H

H

Benzene

C. Soda lime Test for Nitrogen

Observations    Urea + soda lime + heat    Vaporized, foul smelling, blue in colorLitmus paper

 Presence of Nitrogen __√__Yes _____No

CH4N2O(s)   + 2NaOH(s)       2NH3(aq) +Na2CO3(s)

 

Na2CO3(s) + CaO(aq) + H2O(l)         2NaOH(s)+CaCO3(s)

CH4N2O(s)   + CaO(aq) + H2O(l)                2NH3(aq)   + CaCO3(s)

D. Tests for Halogens  1. Belstein Test

Observations    Color of flame Green Flame

 Presence of Halogen __√__Yes _____No

 2Cu(s) + O2(g)   2CuO(s)

 

2CuO(s) +2CHCl3  3CuCl2 + 2{CHO}

2. Silver nitrate test

ObservationsSolution of chloroform      Insoluble precipitate was formed    + 5% Nitric acid

 Presence of Halogen __√__Yes _____No

CHCl3(aq) + HNO3                    3H+ + NO3- + 3Cl-

 HCl(aq) + AgNO3(aq)                     HNO3(aq) + AgCl(s)

 E. Lead Acetate Test for Sulfur

      ObservationsMixture of 5% Albumin,     Turned brownish-black in color5 drops of 10% NaOH &2 drops of 5% lead acetate  

Presence of Sulfur __√__Yes _____No  

5% albumin + NaOH          Na2S  

Na2S + Pb(CH3COO)2           PbS+ 2Na(CH3COO)

Answers to Questions:6

1. Question: Account for the observed solubility of naphthalene and sodium chloride in water and in ether based on the nature of the bonds that exist in them.

2. Question: What indications tell about the type of   bonding present in glycerol and ethyl alcohol? Explain. 

3. Question:      Show the chemical reactions for the ignition tests. What implications does this have   on pressing environmental issues?

4. Question: Show the chemical reactions for the test for carbon and hydrogen. Are these tests enough to accurately determine the presence of the two elements? Justify. 

5. Question: Show the structural formulas of acetone, benzene, ethyl alcohol and octane. Cite one application for each in field of medicine.  

CONCLUSION

The end